2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
118
Ranked Colleges
37,033
Degrees Awarded
$4,500
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 37,033 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 118 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools
The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Chicago
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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,448 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Harold Washington College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $3,200 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts at IU Bloomington
Out of the 118 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 410 students in 2020-2021.
Oakland Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $2,762 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakland Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,446 students in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,248 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Lake County
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 711 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $896 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MVCC.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Moraine Valley Community College
Waubonsee Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Waubonsee is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 449 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Waubonsee also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,782 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Waubonsee.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 926 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $2,801 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.
Full Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts Report
Elgin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. ECC is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 931 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,878 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Elgin Community College
Washtenaw Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Washtenaw Community College is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,376 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washtenaw Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Washtenaw Community College
With a ranking of #11, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 618 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $5,045 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report
Lansing Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LCC is located in Lansing, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 502 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $6,081 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lansing Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lansing Community College
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 110 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State is $4,880 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 475 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $5,080 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LLCC.
Read more about Liberal Arts at LLCC
Delta College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 216 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $3,988 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Delta College Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #16, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 1,774 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $6,398 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harper College
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 356 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Ivy Tech Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Ivy Tech Community College
Indiana University - South Bend came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - South Bend is located in South Bend, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $6,544 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Indiana University - South Bend
Henry Ford College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 215 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Henry Ford College is $3,019 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College
Lorain County Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LCCC is a medium-sized school located in Elyria, Ohio that handed out 869 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Lorain County Community College is $2,619 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Lorain County Community College Liberal Arts Report
Lewis and Clark Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, this small public school awarded 505 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Lewis and Clark Community College is $4,906 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lewis and Clark Community College
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 357 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Harry S Truman College is $4,425 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College
McHenry County College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. McHenry County College is a public institution located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 810 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $7,063 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at McHenry County College
Oakton Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 808 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $6,739 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts Report
City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 233 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,428 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
