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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in Illinois

42 Ranked Colleges
16,943 Degrees Awarded
$23,565 Avg Salary
Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 25,747 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,957 and $14,623 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 16,943 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,626 and $15,120 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate” ranking analyzed 42 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree vets studying liberal arts.

Top 25 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Colleges for Veterans in Illinois

1
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 821 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Among the 11,854 students enrolled at College of Lake County, 307 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 182 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,560. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full College of Lake County Veteran Student Life Report

2

Out of the 42 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, William Rainey Harper College landed the #2 spot on the list. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,047 students in 2020-2021.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Among the 12,199 students enrolled at Harper College, 181 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 131 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,155. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Harper College offers credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at William Rainey Harper College]](/colleges/harper-college/student-life/veterans/)

3
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Out of the 42 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate that were part of this year’s ranking, Waubonsee Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 499 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Of the 7,564 students enrolled at Waubonsee, 144 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 89 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,748. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Waubonsee Community College Veteran Student Life Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 975 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Of the 6,479 students enrolled at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College, 211 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 145 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,190. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

5
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Joliet Junior College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 752 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree vets studying liberal arts list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Of the 10,267 students enrolled at Joliet Junior College, 171 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 112 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,584. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

6
SWIC crest
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. SWIC is a medium-sized public school situated in Belleville, Illinois. It awarded 451 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the 6,906 students enrolled at Southwestern Illinois College, 492 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 271 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,194. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

7
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Kaskaskia College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. This small school is located in Centralia, Illinois, and it awarded 167 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kaskaskia College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Of the 2,785 students enrolled at Kaskaskia College, 70 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 22 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,798. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Kaskaskia College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Full Kaskaskia College Veteran Student Life Report

8
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 962 students in 2020-2021.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Of the 21,010 students enrolled at College of DuPage, 391 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 246 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,049. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. College of DuPage offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Full COD Veteran Student Life Report

9

John Wood Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. This small school is located in Quincy, Illinois, and it awarded 216 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

John Wood Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Among the 1,881 students enrolled at John Wood Community College, 72 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,562. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full John Wood Community College Veteran Student Life Report

10
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 423 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Our most recent data shows that 97 of the 7,814 students enrolled at MCC were GI Bill® students, of which 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,962. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full MCC Veteran Student Life Report

11

Elgin Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 639 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree vets studying liberal arts list, ECC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.According to our most recent data, Elgin Community College supports 7,882 students, and 144 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 100 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,559. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full ECC Veteran Student Life Report

12
BHC crest
Black Hawk College
Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. This small school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 256 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Of the 3,743 students enrolled at BHC, 106 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 51 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,075. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Black Hawk College Veteran Student Life Report

13
Kankakee Community College crest
Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Kankakee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Kankakee Community College is a public institution located in Kankakee, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 158 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Kankakee Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Of the 2,245 students enrolled at Kankakee Community College, 56 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 24 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,951. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Kankakee Community College Veteran Student Life Report

14
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 522 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

LLCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Among the 4,977 students enrolled at LLCC, 228 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 73 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,396. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lincoln Land Community College]](/colleges/lincoln-land-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

15

With a ranking of #15, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. This small school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 153 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DACC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Of the 2,171 students enrolled at Danville Area Community College, 72 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 42 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,499. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full DACC Veteran Student Life Report

16

With a ranking of #16, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Malcolm X College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 295 associates’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Malcolm X College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.According to our most recent data, Malcolm X College supports 7,273 students, and 99 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 58 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,543. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

17

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 1,141 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Our most recent data shows that 121 of the 11,026 students enrolled at MVCC were GI Bill® students, of which 72 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,294. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full MVCC Veteran Student Life Report

18
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 519 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7.Of the 7,313 students enrolled at Oakton Community College, 82 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,104. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Oakton Community College]](/colleges/oakton-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

19
ICC crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Illinois Central College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. This medium-sized school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 632 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

According to our most recent data, ICC supports 7,813 students, and 254 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 78 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,052. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. ICC offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Full ICC Veteran Student Life Report

20

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Harry S Truman College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 250 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Harry S Truman College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15.Of the 5,186 students enrolled at Harry S Truman College, 52 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 34 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,277. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Harry S Truman College Veteran Student Life Report

21
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 289 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Our most recent data shows that 114 of the 3,862 students enrolled at Lake Land College were GI Bill® students, of which 32 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,802. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lake Land College]](/colleges/lake-land-college/student-life/veterans/)

22
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Prairie State College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate list. Located in Chicago Heights, Illinois, this small public school handed out 305 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree vets studying liberal arts list, Prairie State College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 90 of the 2,716 students enrolled at Prairie State College were GI Bill® students, of which 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,251. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Prairie State College Veteran Student Life Report

23

Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small school located in Godfrey, Illinois that handed out 198 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis and Clark Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 82 of the 4,683 students enrolled at Lewis and Clark Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 42 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,895. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Lewis and Clark Community College]](/colleges/lewis-and-clark-community-college/student-life/veterans/)

24

Heartland Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking, coming in at #24. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 503 students in 2020-2021.

Our most recent data shows that 163 of the 4,485 students enrolled at Heartland Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 79 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,572. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Read More…

25
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Rock Valley College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Arts for an Associate ranking. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 568 students in 2020-2021.

Rock Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list.Of the 5,762 students enrolled at Rock Valley College, 105 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 35 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,066. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Rock Valley College]](/colleges/rock-valley-college/student-life/veterans/)

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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