2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
162
Ranked Colleges
60,741
Degrees Awarded
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 60,741 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,415 and $19,554 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 162 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.
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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 162 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 157 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,375 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Chicago.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. The undergraduate 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.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at UChicago
Out of the 162 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #2 spot on the list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,599 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $4,829 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
Out of the 162 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 1,475 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $6,557 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Lake County
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 67 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $10,481 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Joliet Junior College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 752 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,645 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College
With a ranking of #6, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,101 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $4,617 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.
Full Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Oakland Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 811 students in 2020-2021.
Oakland Community College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $6,291 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Oakland Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Elgin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. ECC is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 931 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, ECC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $5,364 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at ECC
With a ranking of #9, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 505 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Waubonsee excels when it comes to liberal arts quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,028 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Waubonsee Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Waubonsee
Carl Sandburg College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small public school awarded 475 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,539 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College
Lansing Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lansing Community College is a public institution located in Lansing, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 504 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend LCC is $5,733 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LCC
With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full IU Bloomington Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,141 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $4,844 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at MVCC
Lorain County Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lorain County Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Elyria, Ohio. It awarded 871 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend LCCC is $3,765 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at LCCC
McHenry County College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. McHenry County College is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 841 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $8,936 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend McHenry County College.
Full McHenry County College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,224 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Ivy Tech Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $9,405 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ivy Tech Community College
With a ranking of #17, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,873 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harper College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,346 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at William Rainey Harper College
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. LLCC is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 522 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $7,985 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LLCC
Washtenaw Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,473 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $5,466 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Washtenaw Community College
South Suburban College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. South Suburban College is a small school located in South Holland, Illinois that handed out 305 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for SSC is $6,853 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at South Suburban College
Delta College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Delta College is a public institution located in University Center, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 416 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,141 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Delta College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Delta College
Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 818 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $7,533 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Henry Ford College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Henry Ford College is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 429 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Henry Ford College is $5,971 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Henry Ford College
University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 36 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Notre Dame.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Notre Dame
With a ranking of #25, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 261 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
IUPUI also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $13,306 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.
Full IUPUI Liberal Arts General Studies Report
