2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. 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 $30-$48k” 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.
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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools 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. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 166 students in 2019-2020.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,800 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at UChicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 978 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $1,513 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MVCC.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MVCC
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Elgin Community College is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,401 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
ECC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $3,717 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at ECC
Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 2,211 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
College of Lake County also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,136 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Lake County.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of Lake County
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k 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 1,381 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,204 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.
With a ranking of #6, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,541 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Harold Washington College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $3,155 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Harold Washington College
William Rainey Harper College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k 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.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,497 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.
Full Harper College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
College of DuPage landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this large public school handed out 759 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
COD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of DuPage is $6,455 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of DuPage
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lincoln Land Community College 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at LLCC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,819 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LLCC.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at LLCC
With a ranking of #10, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $3,432 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
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 $30-$48k ranking. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 460 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,579 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Triton College.
Full Triton College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
With a ranking of #12, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 752 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Joliet Junior College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,134 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 $3,784 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
With a ranking of #14, South Suburban College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SSC is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 357 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend SSC is $5,169 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at South Suburban College
Carl Sandburg College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carl Sandburg College is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 327 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $1,963 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Carl Sandburg College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 581 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Harry S Truman College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $4,468 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a ranking of #17, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. BHC is a small school located in Moline, Illinois that handed out 227 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend BHC is $4,827 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a ranking of #18, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 959 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $5,985 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Oakton Community College
City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - 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 yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $5,246 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Lake Land College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lake Land College is a public institution located in Mattoon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 658 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $4,007 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Land College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lake Land College
With a ranking of #21, Kankakee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kankakee, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 227 students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Kankakee Community College is $6,045 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kankakee Community College
City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 260 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $5,764 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kennedy-King College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kennedy-King College
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 534 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Richard J Daley College is $3,294 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Richard J Daley College
Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. East Peoria, 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 947 students in 2019-2020.
ICC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $8,527 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at ICC
Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, this small public school handed out 119 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for IVCC is $5,682 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at IVCC
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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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