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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

57 Ranked Colleges
27,169 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 $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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 166 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at UChicago

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Elgin Community College is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,401 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $6,022 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Elgin Community College

#3

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois 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 2,211 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $6,232 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 978 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MVCC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $5,411 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,541 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $5,208 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Harold Washington College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,381 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,911 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

Full Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#7

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 752 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,482 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,747 students in 2019-2020.

Harper College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harper College is $9,539 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Harper College

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. 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. It costs about $7,436 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Triton College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Triton College

#10

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Lincoln Land Community College is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 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 $7,895 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at LLCC

#24 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k 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 made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $7,105 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 759 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k list, COD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,558 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of DuPage.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at College of DuPage

#13

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Waubonsee is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 554 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $6,779 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 450 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $5,988 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#15

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 959 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Oakton Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $8,152 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small public school handed out 327 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $2,729 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

#17

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, South Suburban College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Suburban College is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 357 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,258 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend South Suburban College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at South Suburban College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 534 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Richard J Daley College is $5,247 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Richard J Daley College

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Lake Land College is a public institution located in Mattoon, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 658 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $6,770 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Olive-Harvey College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 303 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,390 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Olive-Harvey College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#21

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. McHenry County College is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 756 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for McHenry County College is $8,060 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MCC

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. BHC is a public institution located in Moline, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,007 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at BHC

#23

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 947 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students 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 yearly cost to attend ICC is $11,138 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Illinois Central College

#24

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Kankakee, Illinois, and it awarded 227 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kankakee Community College is $8,158 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kankakee Community College

#25

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Danville, Illinois, this small public school handed out 308 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for DACC is $7,443 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Danville Area Community College

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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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