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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

118 Ranked Colleges
37,033 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 118 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 $48-$75k”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

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 $48-$75k. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,375 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UChicago.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at UChicago

2

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 $48-$75k. 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 1,448 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,829 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harold Washington College

3
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College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 1,446 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $6,557 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

4
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Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Out of the 118 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Joliet Junior College landed the #4 spot on the list. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 618 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,645 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 926 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $4,617 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

6
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Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland 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 $48-$75k ranking. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 410 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $6,291 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakland Community College

7
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Elgin Community College
Elgin, Illinois

Elgin Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 931 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

ECC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,364 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Elgin Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Elgin Community College

8
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Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 449 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $7,028 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts Report

9
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Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for LCC is $5,733 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lansing Community College

10
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Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 225 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,369 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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

11
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Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. MVCC is a fairly large public school situated in Palos Hills, Illinois. It awarded 711 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $4,844 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Moraine Valley Community College

12

Lorain County 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 $48-$75k ranking. Lorain County Community College is located in Elyria, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 869 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Lorain County Community College is $3,765 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LCCC

13
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McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 810 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, MCC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,936 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MCC.

Full MCC Liberal Arts Report

14
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Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ivy Tech Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $9,405 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Ivy Tech Community College

15
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William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, Illinois

William Rainey Harper College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,774 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,346 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Harper College.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts Report

16
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Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 475 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,985 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend LLCC.

Full LLCC Liberal Arts Report

17
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Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Washtenaw Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Washtenaw Community College is a fairly large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 102 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,466 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Washtenaw Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Washtenaw Community College

18
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South Suburban College
South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SSC is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 257 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend South Suburban College is $6,853 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts Report

19
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Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 $6,141 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Delta College Liberal Arts Report

20
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Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 808 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $7,533 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts Report

21
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Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Henry Ford College is a fairly large school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 215 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Henry Ford College is $5,971 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College

22
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

With a ranking of #22, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at University of Notre Dame

23

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school handed out 110 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State is $6,934 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Cincinnati State

24

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley 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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 355 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $4,003 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College

25

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 233 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $5,452 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Malcolm X College Liberal Arts Report

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