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

57 Ranked Colleges
27,169 Degrees Awarded
$4,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer 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.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 166 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,800 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UChicago

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. MVCC is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 978 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $1,513 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MVCC

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,401 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $3,717 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 2,211 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of Lake County has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,136 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Lake County

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,381 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $3,204 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

With a ranking of #6, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,541 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $3,155 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Harold Washington College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#7

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,747 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,497 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harper College.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this large public school awarded 759 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

COD also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $6,455 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of DuPage.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at COD

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 548 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $4,819 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#10

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 554 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $3,432 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#11

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 460 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,579 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 752 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,134 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 450 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,784 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Malcolm X College.

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

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SSC is a small school located in South Holland, Illinois that handed out 357 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,169 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SSC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at South Suburban College

#15

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 327 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $1,963 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Carl Sandburg College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 581 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,468 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#17

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Black Hawk College is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 227 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for BHC is $4,827 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at BHC

#18

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 959 students in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $5,985 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 303 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Olive-Harvey College

#20

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 658 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,007 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#21

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kankakee Community College is a public institution located in Kankakee, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,045 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Full Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

With a ranking of #22, City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 260 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is $5,764 for illinois 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 #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 534 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College

#24

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. ICC is a medium-sized public school situated in East Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 947 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $8,527 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ICC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Illinois Valley Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, this small public school awarded 119 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for IVCC is $5,682 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at IVCC

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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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