2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,346 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,754. That is a strong return on a $7,346 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Lincoln Land Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,022 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $27,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. 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.
Kankakee Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. 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.
Rock Valley College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,035 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $26,712. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,829. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. 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.
Kishwaukee College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $21,090. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,380. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $25,377. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spoon River College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Danville Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $28,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,348. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $31,322. Set against $9,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,162. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,403. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,437. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,909. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Mchenry County College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,581 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,740. Set against $6,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $8,100 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $30,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,066 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $30,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
