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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Illinois (With Aid)

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$5,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” ranking.

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. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Illinois (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,422 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend MVCC.

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

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #2 spot on the list. College of Lake County is a public institution located in Grayslake, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 862 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,735 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.

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

#3

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 #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 604 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,185 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Elgin Community College.

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

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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 took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,992 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#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 #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Chicago, 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 602 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Wilbur Wright College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#6

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 548 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $6,168 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Lincoln Land Community College.

Full LLCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 547 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,130 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Waubonsee.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Waubonsee

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, 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 246 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Harry S Truman College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 460 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,988 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#11

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,001 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Harper College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $7,532 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X 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 Getting Aid ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Malcolm X College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,689 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

College of DuPage 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 Getting Aid ranking. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 759 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

COD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend COD is $7,566 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full College of DuPage Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Oakton Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 524 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $6,141 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

South Suburban College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in South Holland, Illinois, and it awarded 178 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSC is $4,746 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SSC

#16

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

McHenry County College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 410 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for McHenry County College is $7,048 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#17

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Danville Area Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Danville Area Community College is a small public school situated in Danville, Illinois. It awarded 192 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees 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. It costs about $5,399 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Danville Area Community College.

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

#18

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Carl Sandburg College is a small public school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 191 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 147 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Olive-Harvey College

#20

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Lake Land College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Land College is a small public school situated in Mattoon, Illinois. It awarded 441 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 222 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College

#22

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Ullin, Illinois, this small public school awarded 186 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,242 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Shawnee Community College.

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

#23

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Belleville, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 470 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

SWIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $7,098 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Southwestern Illinois College.

Full SWIC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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 120 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#25

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 227 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BHC is $5,706 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

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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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