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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$3,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 27,169 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,138 and $14,095 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 16,891 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 978 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $340 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moraine Valley Community College

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Elgin Community College is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 604 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,384 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Elgin Community College

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 602 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,127 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 862 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $3,742 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of Lake County

#6 in overall quality

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 #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 806 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $2,452 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#6

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

College of DuPage landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. COD is a large school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 759 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend COD is $5,478 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of DuPage

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee Community College is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 547 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $2,818 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Waubonsee

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,001 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $5,913 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $3,915 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LLCC.

Full LLCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#10

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. River Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 460 students in 2019-2020.

Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,546 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#11

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 752 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,699 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Joliet Junior College

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 246 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Harry S Truman College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,404 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harry S Truman College.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 239 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Malcolm X College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Malcolm X College is $3,251 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, South Suburban College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in South Holland, Illinois, and it awarded 178 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

SSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Suburban College is $3,866 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at South Suburban College

#15

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Black Hawk College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 227 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,234 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at BHC

#16

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 524 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $5,195 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#17

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carl Sandburg College is a public institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 191 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,986 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Carl Sandburg College

#17

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Lake Land College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Land College is a public institution located in Mattoon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 441 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Land College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $2,857 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lake Land College

#19

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois Central College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois Central College is a medium-sized school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 947 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, ICC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $7,656 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at ICC

#20

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Danville Area Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 192 students in 2019-2020.

DACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Danville Area Community College is $4,416 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Danville Area Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 222 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Richard J Daley College is $2,310 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Richard J Daley College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 147 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,115 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olive-Harvey College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#23

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Kankakee Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kankakee Community College is a small school located in Kankakee, Illinois that handed out 138 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Kankakee Community College is $5,202 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#24

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 410 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,620 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at McHenry County College

With a ranking of #25, Illinois Valley Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, this small public school awarded 119 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois Valley Community College is $4,715 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Illinois Valley Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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