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

57 Ranked Colleges
27,169 Degrees Awarded
$5,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

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 Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 57 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 978 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

MVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,422 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

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

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,735 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.

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

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,401 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 with aid list, ECC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ECC is $4,185 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full ECC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,541 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Harold Washington College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,992 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#16 in overall quality

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #5 spot on the list. 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. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for Illinois 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

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, LLCC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Land Community College is $6,168 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 554 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 752 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Triton College is a medium-sized school located in River Grove, Illinois that handed out 460 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 $4,988 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Triton College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Triton College

#24 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 581 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 $4,688 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#11

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 1,747 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $7,532 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full William Rainey Harper College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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 $3,689 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 759 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, COD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of DuPage is $7,566 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

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

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 959 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $6,141 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

It costs about $4,746 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend SSC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at South Suburban College

#16

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 756 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 with aid list, MCC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $7,048 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.

Full MCC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#17

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 308 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend DACC is $5,399 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

#18

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Carl Sandburg College is a small public school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 327 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,792 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read full report on 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 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 303 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,574 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College.

Full Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#20

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

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 Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 658 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $4,468 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

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

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - 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.

It costs about $3,015 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Richard J Daley College.

Read full report on 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Ullin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 280 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Shawnee Community College is $10,242 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full Shawnee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#23

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. SWIC is a medium-sized public school situated in Belleville, Illinois. It awarded 470 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,098 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Southwestern Illinois College.

Full Southwestern Illinois College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 260 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kennedy-King College

#25

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. BHC is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 227 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Black Hawk College is $5,706 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.

Full BHC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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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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