2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,346. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,754. That is a strong return on a $7,346 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. Set against $11,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $27,529. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Kankakee Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,035. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $27,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,125. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Morton College earn a median of $31,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $28,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Kishwaukee College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,090. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Elgin Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $25,377 early in their careers. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spoon River College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Danville Area Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,912. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $28,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,912 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $23,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,437 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,909. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $19,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,581 median debt.
Black Hawk College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $30,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,066. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $30,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
