2025 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
53
Colleges in Illinois
21,669
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #2 in popularity,
liberal arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools in Illinois to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 21,669 degrees in liberal arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Liberal Arts School
Your choice of liberal arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Liberal Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pick Your Liberal Arts Degree Level
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 the Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Illinois
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal studies degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
10 Top Illinois Schools in Liberal Studies
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
12th
Most Popular In IL
410
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Lincoln Land Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. LLCC is a moderately-sized public college located in the rural area of Springfield. A Best Colleges rank of #437 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means LLCC is a great college overall.
There were approximately 410 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at LLCC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lincoln Land Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
14th
Most Popular In IL
454
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Waubonsee Community College is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public college located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. A Best Colleges rank of #590 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Waubonsee is a great college overall.
There were roughly 454 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Waubonsee Community College
Associates
Degree Type
AA in Liberal Arts
Program Name
Strengthen your communication and critical-thinking skills with this online associate in liberal arts degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in AA in Liberal Arts from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In IL
1,706
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
William Rainey Harper College is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #640 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Harper College is a great college overall.
There were approximately 1706 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from William Rainey Harper College
Illinois State University is a great option for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts. Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. A Best Colleges rank of #210 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Illinois State is a great university overall.
There were about 24 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Illinois State University
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
4th
Most Popular In IL
1,787
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College of Lake County is a public college with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #504 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means College of Lake County is a great college overall.
There were about 1787 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at College of Lake County in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from College of Lake County
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
6th
Most Popular In IL
1,019
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
ECC is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Elgin. A Best Colleges rank of #671 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means ECC is a great college overall.
There were about 1019 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at ECC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Elgin Community College
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
28th
Most Popular In IL
249
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the large suburb of South Holland, SSC is a public college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #718 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SSC is a great college overall.
There were roughly 249 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at SSC in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from South Suburban College
Bachelors
Degree Type
BA in General Studies
Program Name
Maximize your transfer credits and complete your bachelor's degree faster with this flexible online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
More information about a degree in BA in General Studies from Southern New Hampshire UniversityRelated Programs
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In IL
702
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, COD is a public college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #731 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means COD is a great college overall.
There were roughly 702 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at COD in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from College of DuPage
Associate Degree
Highest Degree Type
8th
Most Popular In IL
639
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Rock Valley College is a medium-sized public college located in the medium-sized city of Rockford. A Best Colleges rank of #1102 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Rock Valley College is a great college overall.
There were about 639 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Rock Valley College
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
44th
Most Popular In IL
75
Liberal Studies Degrees Awarded
Located in the small suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #529 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NIU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 75 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at NIU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northern Illinois University
