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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

53 Ranked Colleges
27,169 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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 $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 53 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. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,381 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $5,514 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#2

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elgin Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 1,401 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k list, ECC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elgin Community College is $7,348 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. 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. It costs about $5,891 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Harold Washington College

#4

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Triton College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k list, Triton College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Triton College is $6,112 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Triton College

#5

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Joliet Junior College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 752 students in 2019-2020.

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.

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

#6

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,747 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harper College is $12,315 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full William Rainey Harper College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 450 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,381 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Malcolm X College.

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

#8

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 548 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

LLCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,905 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Lincoln Land Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at LLCC

#9

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 978 students 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. The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $9,395 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College

#10

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. COD is a large school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 759 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,206 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend COD.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at COD

#11

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 554 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k list, Waubonsee has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $8,837 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 534 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Richard J Daley College is $3,933 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#13

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 327 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $7,361 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#14

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 166 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,929 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Chicago.

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.

Full UChicago Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#15

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Lake Land College is a small school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 658 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,062 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Lake Land College

#16

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 959 ’s liberal arts degrees 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 $9,764 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 303 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Olive-Harvey College is $4,915 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Olive-Harvey College

#18

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 308 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for DACC is $10,960 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Danville Area Community College

#19

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Ullin, Illinois, this small public school awarded 280 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Shawnee Community College is $15,773 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#20

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 756 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $10,597 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend MCC.

Full McHenry County College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 260 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kennedy-King College is $11,098 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Kennedy-King College

#22

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Kankakee Community College is a small public school situated in Kankakee, Illinois. It awarded 227 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kankakee Community College is $10,456 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Kankakee Community College

#23

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Black Hawk College 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 $10,442 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend BHC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at BHC

#24

Rock Valley College

Rockford, Illinois

Rock Valley College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Rockford, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 560 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Rock Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rock Valley College is $10,530 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Rock Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#25

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Belleville, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 470 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,642 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SWIC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at SWIC

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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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