2024 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
166Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
60,741Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$29,415Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #1 in popularity, liberal arts general studies is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.
College Factual looked at 166 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 60,741 degrees in liberal arts general studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts General Studies School
Your choice of liberal arts general studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for liberal arts general studies schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings by Degree Level
The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies in the Great Lakes Region
The schools below may not offer all types of liberal arts degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It's difficult to beat University of Chicago if you want to pursue a degree in liberal arts general studies. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 157 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies major at University of Chicago get $8,653 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
It's hard to beat DePaul University if you wish to pursue a degree in liberal arts general studies. DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #203 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.
There were approximately 126 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from DePaul University receive an earnings boost of approximately $27,293 above the typical earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.
University of Notre Dame is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #20 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.
There were roughly 36 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from University of Notre Dame receive an earnings boost of approximately $5,082 above the average earnings of liberal arts general studies majors.
Purdue University - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.
There were approximately 74 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Purdue University - Main Campus receive $20,581 more than the standard liberal arts grad.
Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were about 67 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $3,674 more than the average liberal arts student.
Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.
There were about 13 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the liberal arts program make an average of $21,962 in the first couple years of working.
Located in the remote town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were about 1373 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Vincennes University in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at Vincennes University make $7,915 above the standard college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #247 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means College of Lake County is a great college overall.
There were approximately 1475 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at College of Lake County in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,907.
UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized public university located in the medium-sized city of Green Bay. This university ranks 27th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.
There were approximately 311 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Green Bay in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Green Bay earn $4,452 more than the average liberal arts grad.
IUPUI is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Indianapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #274 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IUPUI is a great university overall.
There were roughly 261 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at IUPUI in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies program at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis get $7,672 more than the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
Macomb Community College is a large public college located in the midsize city of Warren. This college ranks 6th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were roughly 1226 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career income of $27,775.
Ball State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Muncie. A Best Colleges rank of #205 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ball State is a great university overall.
There were about 277 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, liberal arts degree recipients generally earn an average of $30,527 at the beginning of their careers.
Located in the town of Macomb, WIU is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 39th out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were approximately 169 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at WIU in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Western Illinois University make $7,541 more than the typical liberal arts student.
Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 22nd out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were approximately 1873 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program state that they receive average early career wages of $26,090.
Located in the distant town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 31st out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were approximately 31 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Tiffin University in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Tiffin University make $19,408 more than the average liberal arts student.
Kent State University at Stark is a small public university located in the large suburb of North Canton. This university ranks 15th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 771 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University at Stark in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Kent State University at Stark make $2,082 more than the average liberal arts graduate.
Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 21st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were roughly 28 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Siena Heights University in the most recent year we have data available. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from Siena Heights University earn a boost of approximately $8,937 over the average income of liberal arts general studies majors.
Indiana University - Southeast is a small public university located in the large suburb of New Albany. This university ranks 32nd out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.
There were approximately 107 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University - Southeast in the most recent year we have data available. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Indiana University - Southeast receive $2,321 more than the average liberal arts graduate.
UWM is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Milwaukee. This university ranks 19th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.
There were roughly 315 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at UWM in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients typically make an average of $30,556 at the beginning of their careers.
Located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 11th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.
There were about 123 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Oakland University make $5,307 more than the typical liberal arts student.
Located in the large city of Cincinnati, Xavier is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #316 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Xavier is a great university overall.
There were approximately 69 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Xavier in the most recent data year. Those liberal arts general studies students who get their degree from Xavier University earn $12,375 more than the average liberal arts grad.
Cincinnati State is a moderately-sized public college located in the city of Cincinnati. This college ranks 17th out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 175 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Cincinnati State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the liberal arts general studies degree program at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College get $3,030 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
IWU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Marion. A Best Colleges rank of #291 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IWU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 155 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at IWU in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global earn a boost of around $5,154 over the average earnings of liberal arts general studies graduates.
Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Chicago. This college ranks 34th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were roughly 1599 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the liberal arts program report average early career wages of $26,255.
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
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 the rest 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).
college factual
Your choice of liberal arts general studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for liberal arts general studies schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
