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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Illinois (With Aid)

55 Ranked Colleges
23,860 Degrees Awarded
$5,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 23,860 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 55 colleges that offered a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 682 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students with aid list, MVCC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,422 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend MVCC.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts Report

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. College of Lake County is a fairly large school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 2,180 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students with aid list, College of Lake County has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,735 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,401 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $4,185 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full ECC Liberal Arts Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,433 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,992 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College.

Full Harold Washington College Liberal Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,206 students in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,876 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wilbur Wright College

#6

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 452 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $6,168 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lincoln Land Community College

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools 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 ’s liberal studies degrees to 475 students in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 578 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students with aid list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

#23 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Harry S Truman College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 504 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Harry S Truman College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Full Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts Report

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Triton College is a medium-sized public school situated in River Grove, Illinois. It awarded 335 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students with aid list, Triton College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,988 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Triton College

#11

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 1,649 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students with aid list, Harper College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $7,532 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harper College

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this large public school awarded 621 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

COD also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for COD is $7,566 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of DuPage

With a ranking of #12, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 321 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,689 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Liberal Arts Report

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 952 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $6,141 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SSC is located in South Holland, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 346 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

SSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Suburban College is $4,746 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts Report

#16

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 723 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,048 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend MCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

#17

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 252 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Danville Area Community College is $5,399 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Full Danville Area Community College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olive-Harvey College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 273 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Lake Land College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 658 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,468 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Richard J Daley College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 482 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Richard J Daley College

#21

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Ullin, Illinois, this small public school handed out 223 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Shawnee Community College is $10,242 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Shawnee Community College

#22

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. SWIC is a public institution located in Belleville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 470 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,098 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend SWIC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southwestern Illinois College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kennedy-King College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 232 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,709 for illinois liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Kennedy-King College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Kennedy-King College

#24

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. BHC is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 215 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Black Hawk College is $5,706 for Illinois Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at BHC

With a ranking of #25, Illinois Valley Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois Valley Community College is located in Oglesby, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 105 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend IVCC is $6,378 for illinois liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at IVCC

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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