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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

34 Ranked Colleges
2,651 Degrees Awarded
$5,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have 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 Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 133,583 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 2,959 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,651 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. MVCC is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 296 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $2,422 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Full Moraine Valley Community College General Studies Report

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #2 spot on the list. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 31 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,735 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #3 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 108 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,992 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read more about General Studies at Harold Washington College

#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 175 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

#5

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln Land Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. LLCC is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 96 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students with aid list, LLCC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,168 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Lincoln Land Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at LLCC

#6

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 73 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

#7

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 174 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students with aid list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#14 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 77 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College General Studies Report

#8

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Triton College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 125 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,988 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Full Triton College General Studies Report

#10

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 98 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harper College, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $7,532 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Harper College

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 129 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,689 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College.

Read full report on General Studies at Malcolm X College

#11

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

College of DuPage came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 138 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $7,566 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Full COD General Studies Report

#13

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Oakton Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 7 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,141 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakton Community College

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

South Suburban College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

SSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Suburban College is $4,746 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at SSC

#15

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

McHenry County College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. MCC is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

MCC also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for McHenry County College is $7,048 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at McHenry County College

#16

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Danville Area Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students with aid list, DACC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Danville Area Community College is $5,399 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Full Danville Area Community College General Studies Report

#17

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 191 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Carl Sandburg College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olive-Harvey College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 30 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Richard J Daley College

#20

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Shawnee Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Shawnee Community College is located in Ullin, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 57 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Shawnee Community College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Shawnee Community College is $10,242 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Full Shawnee Community College General Studies Report

#23 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 28 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students with aid list, Kennedy-King College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Full Kennedy-King College General Studies Report

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Black Hawk College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Black Hawk College is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

BHC also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BHC is $5,706 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Black Hawk College

#24 in overall quality

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and it awarded 14 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

IVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend IVCC is $6,378 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at IVCC

#24

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Illinois Central College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in East Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 202 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,578 for illinois associate degree general studies students with aid per year to attend ICC.

Read full report on General Studies at Illinois Central College

#25

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Kankakee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Kankakee Community College is a public institution located in Kankakee, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kankakee Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,436 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students with aid per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Kankakee Community College

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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