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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$4,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. 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 Illinois, there were 27,169 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,138 and $14,095 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 16,891 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and 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 general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The liberal arts 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. 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 Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#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 Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 978 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MVCC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $1,513 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Full MVCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 604 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ECC is $3,717 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #3 spot on the list. College of Lake County is a fairly large school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 862 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $4,136 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Lake County

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 602 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $3,204 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 806 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $3,155 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#6

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 1,001 students in 2019-2020.

Harper College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Harper College is $6,497 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full William Rainey Harper College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#7

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. COD is a large school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 759 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for COD is $6,455 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full COD Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 548 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, LLCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $4,819 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#9

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 547 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $3,432 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Waubonsee

#10

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. River Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 460 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Triton College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $4,579 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#11

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 752 students in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,134 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 239 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Malcolm X College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,784 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Malcolm X College

#13

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SSC is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 178 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SSC is $5,169 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SSC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#14

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Carl Sandburg College is a public institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 191 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,963 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 246 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#16

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. BHC is a public institution located in Moline, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,827 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at BHC

#17

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 524 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $5,985 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakton Community College

With a ranking of #18, City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 147 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $5,246 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Lake Land College is a small public school situated in Mattoon, Illinois. It awarded 441 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,007 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Lake Land College

#20

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Kankakee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, this small public school handed out 138 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $6,045 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kankakee Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kennedy-King College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 120 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kennedy-King College is $5,764 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Kennedy-King College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 222 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,294 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#23

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ICC is a medium-sized school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 947 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Central College is $8,527 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at ICC

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois Valley Community College is a small public school situated in Oglesby, Illinois. It awarded 119 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,682 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at IVCC

#25

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 410 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $6,143 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at MCC

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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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