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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

151 Ranked Colleges
60,741 Degrees Awarded
$4,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 60,741 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,415 and $19,554 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 151 colleges that offered a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 151 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 157 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

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

2

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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,599 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,200 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

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

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 67 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 225 students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at IU Bloomington

5
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland Community College is a public institution located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 811 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Oakland Community College also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Oakland Community College

6
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 1,475 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,248 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

7

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 261 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, IUPUI has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

8

With a ranking of #8, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 1,141 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for MVCC is $896 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MVCC

9
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Waubonsee is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 505 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $3,782 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Waubonsee.

Full Waubonsee Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

10

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,101 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $2,801 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

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

11

Elgin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Elgin Community College is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 931 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ECC excels when it comes to liberal arts / sciences and humanities quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,878 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at ECC

12
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,473 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,376 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washtenaw Community College.

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

13
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 752 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,045 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Joliet Junior College

14
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LCC is located in Lansing, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 504 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend LCC is $6,081 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

15

Indiana University - South Bend came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is a small school located in South Bend, Indiana that handed out 77 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Indiana University - South Bend also did well on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Indiana University - South Bend

16

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 175 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,880 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

17
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 522 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend LLCC is $5,080 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

18
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University Center, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 416 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,988 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Delta College.

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

19

William Rainey Harper College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 1,873 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harper College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,398 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at William Rainey Harper College

20
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 6,224 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ivy Tech Community College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

21
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Henry Ford College is a fairly large public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 429 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,019 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Henry Ford College

22

With a ranking of #22, Lorain County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lorain County Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Elyria, Ohio. It awarded 871 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lorain County Community College is $2,619 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lorain County Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

23
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 475 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,250 for great lakes region liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

24

Lewis and Clark Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lewis and Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 513 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark Community College is $4,906 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

25

With a ranking of #25, City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 440 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,425 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harry S Truman College.

Full Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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