2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools 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. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 57 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 166 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 978 students in 2019-2020.
MVCC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $340 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moraine Valley Community College
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. ECC is located in Elgin, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,401 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $2,384 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
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 #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,381 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Wilbur Wright College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,127 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 2,211 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, College of Lake County has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $3,742 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of Lake County
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,541 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $2,452 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
College of DuPage came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. College of DuPage is a large school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 759 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
COD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,478 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend COD.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at COD
Waubonsee Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Waubonsee is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 554 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $2,818 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Waubonsee Community College.
Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
William Rainey Harper College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 1,747 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
Harper College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $5,913 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.
Full Harper College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. LLCC is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 548 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend LLCC is $3,915 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at LLCC
Triton College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in River Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 460 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Triton College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,546 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Triton College
Joliet Junior College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 752 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,699 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 581 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harry S Truman College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $4,404 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 450 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,251 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Malcolm X College
South Suburban College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. SSC is a small public school situated in South Holland, Illinois. It awarded 357 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,866 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Suburban College.
Black Hawk College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 227 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend BHC is $3,234 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a ranking of #17, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 959 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Oakton Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $5,195 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Carl Sandburg College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 327 students in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $1,986 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Carl Sandburg College
Lake Land College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Land College is a small school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 658 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $2,857 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 947 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
ICC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Central College is $7,656 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Danville Area Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 308 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,416 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DACC.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Danville Area Community College
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 534 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $2,310 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Richard J Daley College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Richard J Daley College
With a ranking of #23, City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olive-Harvey College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 303 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Olive-Harvey College is $4,115 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Kankakee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Kankakee Community College is a small school located in Kankakee, Illinois that handed out 227 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,202 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kankakee Community College
McHenry County College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 756 students in 2019-2020.
MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $5,620 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $0-$30k.
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
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