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2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region

218 Colleges in the United States
73,361 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Degrees Awarded
$37,237 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 218 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 102 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 60 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $59,139 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Northwestern University

3

University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 172 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $26,094 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Chicago

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $38,065 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,728 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #5. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 18 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $45,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,800. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for University Of Notre Dame

6

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 8,459 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,655 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,671. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Indiana University Bloomington

7
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #7 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 1,724 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,619 in their early career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Harper College

8
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 787 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from College Of Dupage earn around $28,678 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from College Of Dupage

9
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 88 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $79,921. Typical student debt for the program is $17,917. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Purdue University Main Campus

10
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College earned the #10 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Calvin College earn around $44,220 in the first couple years of their career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Calvin College

11
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #11 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lewis University awarded about 27 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $55,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Lewis University

12
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #12 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $47,064. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Xavier University

13

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #13 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $49,223. Typical student debt for the program is $23,551. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

14

College Of Lake County landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 1,717 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at College Of Lake County

15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #15 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 12 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

16
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 24 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $44,614 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at Aurora University

17

Joliet Junior College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 677 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $27,296 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Joliet Junior College

18

Loyola University Chicago earned the #18 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $58,568 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $7,761 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities from Loyola University Chicago

19

Illinois State University placed #19 among the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 122 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $31,745 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,621 in student loans. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Illinois State University

20

Eastern Illinois University came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 92 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,273 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities program report for Eastern Illinois University

21

Waubonsee Community College came in at #21 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 528 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,597 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Waubonsee Community College

22

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 35 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $32,604. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,784 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

23

Lawrence Technological University came in at #23 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Southfield. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. Lawrence Technological University awarded about 13 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $74,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Lawrence Technological University

24
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 545 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $27,601. Students borrow a median of $7,035 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts / sciences & humanities details for Rock Valley College

25

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #25 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 158 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $37,845. Typical student debt for the program is $23,011. Read more about the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities ranking:

26
27
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN
28
29
30
31
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
39
40
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
41
42
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
43
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL
44
45
46
47
48
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for liberal arts / sciences & humanities:

Narrow Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 218 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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