2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
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 Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 65,409 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,947 and $17,710 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,620 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,075 and $25,381 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 76 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 76 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 68 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,166 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U-M.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 238 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $4,969 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 General Studies at IU Bloomington
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,498 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Notre Dame.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The 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. The low 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 General Studies at University of Notre Dame
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Northwest. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Gary, Indiana, and it awarded 55 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Northwest is $3,287 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 264 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, IUPUI has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $5,052 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. UW - Green Bay is a medium-sized school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 103 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
UW - Green Bay also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $11,337 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Michigan State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $6,686 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Michigan State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
Ohio State also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,194 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 249 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $8,403 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Ball State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #11, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 139 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Oakland also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $7,490 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakland University
Indiana University - South Bend ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 84 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $4,641 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University - South Bend
Indiana University - Kokomo landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Kokomo is a small school located in Kokomo, Indiana that handed out 68 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend IU Kokomo is $4,360 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Platteville has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Platteville is $12,117 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UW - Platteville
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
UW - Whitewater also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $11,868 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Ferris State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ferris is a fairly large school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 54 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Ferris State University is $7,207 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Ferris State University
Purdue University Northwest ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hammond, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $6,911 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue Northwest.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Purdue University Northwest
Indiana University - East came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Richmond, Indiana, this small public school awarded 62 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for IU East is $3,622 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 80 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $11,578 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Grand Valley State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
UW Oshkosh did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW Oshkosh is $11,687 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UW Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school situated in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It awarded 25 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $11,528 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Southern Indiana landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for USI is $8,244 for great lakes region bachelor’s degree liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Southern Indiana
Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 85 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $7,129 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend PFW.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $11,446 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Indiana University - Southeast came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in New Albany, Indiana, this small public school handed out 96 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $6,697 for Great Lakes Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University - Southeast
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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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