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2024 Best Schools for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois for Associate Degrees

46 Colleges
$6,651 Avg Net Price (With Aid)*
63% Discount Rate*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard. The amount of financial aid you could receive at various schools, including some with high sticker prices, may surprise you.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Your Choice of School Matters

After analyzing 46 schools in Illinois, we came up with our list of those that offered the best value Associate Degree programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Our Methodology

To calculate the value of a school in our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking, we first consider its average net price of students from families making $48-$75k a year. The net price is the sum of room and board, tuition, and fees minus any financial aid that that the student receives. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.

To account for this we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

Without Aid Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? Click on one of the tiles above. If you'd rather work on your degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.

Best Value Associate Degree Schools (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County tops this year’s ranking as the best value (income $48-$75k) school for associate degrees in Illinois for overall quality. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and has a fairly large student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, College of Lake County is ranked #1 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,694.

Full College of Lake County Value Report

2
ECC crest
Elgin Community College
Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 46 associate degree schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. ECC is located in Elgin, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Elgin Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #6 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,893.

Full Elgin Community College Value Report

3

The quality degree programs at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is a small public school located in Chicago, Illinois.

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College has the honor of being ranked #5 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,965.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College Value Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school located in Chicago, Illinois.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is ranked #10 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $6,080.

Read full value report on City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

5
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Joliet Junior College. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the school is a fairly large public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Joliet Junior College is ranked #19 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $4,840.

Learn More About Value at Joliet Junior College

6

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is ranked #18 for quality in the state of Illinois. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,027.

Learn More About Value at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

7
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College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, College of DuPage is ranked #8 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,631.

Full College of DuPage Value Report

8

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. Harry S Truman College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. It is a public school.

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College has the honor of being ranked #15 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $5,898.

Read full value report on City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

9
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Carl Sandburg College has the honor of being ranked #26 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $4,401.

Full Carl Sandburg College Value Report

10
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois

Triton College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. This medium-sized public school is located in River Grove, Illinois.

Triton College has the honor of being ranked #13 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $6,384.

Full Triton College Value Report

11
Harper College crest
William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois.

William Rainey Harper College has the honor of being ranked #4 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $8,781.

Full William Rainey Harper College Value Report

12
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Oakton Community College is ranked #9 for quality in the state of Illinois. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,728.

Full Oakton Community College Value Report

13
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Waubonsee Community College has the honor of being ranked #16 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,923.

Full Waubonsee Community College Value Report

14

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College has the honor of being ranked #21 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,108.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Value Report

15
SSC crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. SSC is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois.

South Suburban College has the honor of being ranked #11 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $7,673.

Full South Suburban College Value Report

16
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Black Hawk College
Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #16. Moline, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is Black Hawk College a great value, but it is also ranked #31 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $5,176.

Read full value report on Black Hawk College

17

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #17. Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois.

Not only is City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College a great value, but it is also ranked #29 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $5,591.

Read full value report on City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College

18

Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small public school situated in Godfrey, Illinois.

Not only is Lewis and Clark Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #28 in Illinois for overall quality. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $5,785.

Read full value report on Lewis and Clark Community College

19
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Illinois.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lincoln Land Community College is ranked #12 for quality in the state of Illinois. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,933.

Read full value report on Lincoln Land Community College

20

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. Kennedy-King College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois.

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College has the honor of being ranked #40 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $4,672.

Learn More About Value at City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College

21

With a ranking of #21, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. DACC is a public institution located in Danville, Illinois.

Not only is Danville Area Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #25 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,592.

Read full value report on Danville Area Community College

22
Richland Community College crest
Richland Community College
Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Richland Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Decatur, Illinois.

Not only is Richland Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #34 in Illinois for overall quality. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $6,195.

Full Richland Community College Value Report

23

John Wood Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois list. This small public school is located in Quincy, Illinois.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, John Wood Community College is ranked #24 for quality in the state of Illinois. Students from families who make $48-$75k a year pay an annual average net price of $7,957.

Full John Wood Community College Value Report

24
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized public school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

McHenry County College has the honor of being ranked #20 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $8,816.

Full McHenry County College Value Report

25
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, Illinois

Prairie State College landed the #25 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois ranking. Prairie State College is a public institution located in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

Prairie State College has the honor of being ranked #17 in Illinois for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average yearly net price for a student whose family makes $48-$75k per year is $9,522.

Full Prairie State College Value Report

Best Value Associate Degree Schools (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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