2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,348. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,529. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,925. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,568. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,600 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,644. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt.
Danville Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $28,045. That is a strong return on a $7,912 median debt.
Triton College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,342. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $60,509. Set against $5,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,346. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $24,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $6,800 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $28,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $22,915 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,438 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $19,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,678. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Elgin Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $25,377 early in their careers. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $27,619. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,597. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $10,066 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $30,269. Set against $10,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,687. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $23,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,437 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $34,909. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
