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2025 Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

93 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
25,596 Associate Degrees
If you pursue a associate degree in liberal arts, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #1 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 93 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 25,596 associate degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School for Your Associate Degree

Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region The liberal studies associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality liberal studies program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To take this into account we include a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for liberal arts students working on their associate degree.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Studies Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Best Schools for Associate Students to Study Liberal Arts in the Great Lakes Region

Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for liberal arts students seeking a an associate degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

18 Top Great Lakes Region Schools for an Associate in Liberal Studies

1
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
533 Annual Graduates

Vincennes University is a great option for individuals pursuing an associate degree in liberal arts. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a public university with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Vincennes University

2
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
383 Annual Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in liberal arts has to take a look at Lincoln Land Community College. LLCC is a medium-sized public college located in the rural area of Springfield.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Lincoln Land Community College

3
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
180 Annual Graduates

It is difficult to beat Ivy Tech Community College if you want to pursue an associate degree in liberal arts. Ivy Tech Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Indianapolis.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Ivy Tech Community College

4
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
140 Annual Graduates

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a great option for individuals interested in an associate degree in liberal arts. Cincinnati State is a moderately-sized public college located in the large city of Cincinnati.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
227 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Akron, University of Akron Main Campus is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from University of Akron Main Campus

6
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
430 Annual Graduates

Waubonsee is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Sugar Grove.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Waubonsee Community College

7
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,036 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Cuyahoga Community College District

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
946 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from William Rainey Harper College

9
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
327 Annual Graduates

Macomb Community College is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized city of Warren.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Macomb Community College

10
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
392 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Oakland Community College

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
874 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from College of Lake County

12
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
386 Annual Graduates

Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the city of Madison.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Madison Area Technical College

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
513 Annual Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Grand Rapids Community College

14
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
237 Annual Graduates

Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Delta College

15
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
524 Annual Graduates

ECC is a medium-sized public college located in the midsize city of Elgin.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Elgin Community College

16
SSC crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
111 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of South Holland, SSC is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from South Suburban College

17
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
1,143 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Detroit, WCCCD is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from Wayne County Community College District

18
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
673 Annual Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Glen Ellyn, COD is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in liberal arts from College of DuPage

Rest of the Top Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
19 Rock Valley College Rockford, IL
20 Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH
21 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
22 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
23 Mott Community College Flint, MI
24 Illinois Central College East Peoria, IL
25 City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Chicago, IL
26 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Kalamazoo, MI
27 Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, IL
28 Kankakee Community College Kankakee, IL
29 Rend Lake College Ina, IL
30 Lorain County Community College Elyria, OH
31 Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, IL

Best Liberal Arts Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Ohio 450 6,765
Michigan 410 4,620
Illinois 267 14,293
Wisconsin 224 642
Indiana 221 1,036

View All Rankings >

One of 3 majors within the Liberal Arts General Studies area of study, Liberal Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Studies 7,695
Individualized Studies 3,411
Humanities 1,242

Notes and References

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