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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

15 Ranked Colleges
1,158 Degrees Awarded
$14,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

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 for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,158 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 19 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,800 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

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 freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Chicago

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIS has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,323 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Illinois at Springfield

#3

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Eastern Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 123 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EIU is $11,316 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Illinois University

#4

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Governors State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 108 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, GSU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GSU is $12,046 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Governors State University

#5

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 169 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $14,526 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Illinois University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 61 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,861 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NIU.

Full Northern Illinois University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#7

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

University of St Francis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 5 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $11,229 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Saint Francis

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $11,962 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Saint Xavier University

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 144 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,999 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Illinois State

#12 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 54 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $14,306 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 158 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#12

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago State University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

CSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,844 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at CSU

#13

Lincoln College

Lincoln, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Lincoln College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lincoln College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lincoln, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lincoln College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,395 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lincoln College.

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

#14

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

North Central College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend North Central is $20,128 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#15

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

DePaul University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul University is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 141 bachelors’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $25,842 for illinois bachelor’s degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at DePaul University

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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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