Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

41 Ranked Colleges
14,240 Degrees Awarded
$4,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across Illinois, there were 23,860 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 14,240 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 41 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#9 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 Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 682 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $1,513 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts Report

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elgin Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. ECC is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 604 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $3,717 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Elgin Community College

#3

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 831 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,136 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 427 students in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Wilbur Wright College is $3,204 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 698 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,155 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#6

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 903 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies 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 Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,497 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts Report

#7

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

College of DuPage came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. COD is a public institution located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 621 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at COD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $6,455 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at COD

#8

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 452 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Land Community College is $4,819 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at LLCC

#9

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Waubonsee Community College is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 474 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $3,432 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee

#10

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Triton College is a medium-sized public school situated in River Grove, Illinois. It awarded 335 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,579 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Triton College

#11

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 578 students in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,134 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Malcolm X College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 110 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Malcolm X College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,784 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College.

Full Malcolm X College Liberal Arts Report

#13

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

South Suburban College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SSC is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 167 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SSC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,169 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SSC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SSC

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 169 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harry S Truman College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#15

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Moline, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 215 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, BHC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,827 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Full BHC Liberal Arts Report

#16

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Oakton Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 517 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,985 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 117 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,246 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olive-Harvey College.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts Report

#18

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Lake Land College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 441 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $4,007 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Lake Land College

#19

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Kankakee Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kankakee, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 108 students in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $6,045 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Kankakee Community College

With a ranking of #20, City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 92 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kennedy-King College is $5,764 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kennedy-King College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 170 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Richard J Daley College is $3,294 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Richard J Daley College Liberal Arts Report

#22

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois Central College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ICC is a medium-sized public school situated in East Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 745 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ICC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,527 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ICC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Illinois Central College

Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Illinois Valley Community College is a small school located in Oglesby, Illinois that handed out 105 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for IVCC is $5,682 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Illinois Valley Community College

#24

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

McHenry County College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 377 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $6,143 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

#25

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southwestern Illinois College is a public institution located in Belleville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 470 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SWIC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend SWIC is $6,762 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southwestern Illinois 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.

Featured Liberal Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You