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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Illinois

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$5,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 an Associate in Illinois” 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 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” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs, but they also 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in Illinois”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois

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

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

#1

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 #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Elgin, 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 604 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, ECC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $4,185 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Full ECC Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#2

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Lincoln Land Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 548 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, LLCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,168 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend LLCC.

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

#3

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Joliet Junior College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois. 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 also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $4,693 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

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

#4

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. MVCC is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 978 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MVCC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,422 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend MVCC.

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

#5

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 that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 862 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of Lake County, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,735 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#6

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. River Grove, 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 460 students in 2019-2020.

Triton College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,988 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

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

#7

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Southwestern Illinois College is a medium-sized school located in Belleville, Illinois that handed out 470 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, SWIC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWIC is $7,098 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#8

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

College of DuPage came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. This large school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 759 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $7,566 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend COD.

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

#9

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Illinois Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 947 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $9,578 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#10

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,001 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for William Rainey Harper College is $7,532 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

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

#6 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 806 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $2,992 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#12

Rock Valley College

Rockford, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Rock Valley College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Rock Valley College is a public institution located in Rockford, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 560 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rock Valley College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Rock Valley College is $7,399 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Full Rock Valley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#13

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Oakton Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 524 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

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

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

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

South Suburban College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois 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.

SSC also took 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.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SSC

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 602 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

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

#16

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 547 associates’s degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Waubonsee

#17

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Lake Land College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 441 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#18

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This small school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 192 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

DACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for DACC is $5,399 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

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

#19

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Carl Sandburg College is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 191 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full Carl Sandburg College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#20

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Prairie State College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Prairie State College is a small school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois that handed out 255 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Prairie State College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Prairie State College is $7,669 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Prairie State College

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, 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 list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 246 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

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

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Black Hawk College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. BHC is a public institution located in Moline, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, BHC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,706 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend BHC.

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

#23

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 410 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, MCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $7,048 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MCC

#24

Heartland Community College

Normal, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Heartland Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Heartland Community College is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 563 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Heartland Community College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,703 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend Heartland Community College.

Full Heartland Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 239 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,689 for illinois associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College 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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