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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

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

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,138 and $14,095 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $48-$75k) 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 166 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Chicago

#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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This medium-sized school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 1,401 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $6,022 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ECC.

Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#3

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school situated in Grayslake, Illinois. It awarded 2,211 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,232 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at College of Lake County

#4

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. MVCC is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 978 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $5,411 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #5 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 1,541 students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $5,208 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wilbur Wright College is $4,911 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#7

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 752 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,482 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,747 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harper College is $9,539 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at William Rainey Harper College

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Triton College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Triton College is located in River Grove, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 460 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

Triton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $7,436 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Triton College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Triton College

#10

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LLCC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LLCC is $7,895 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lincoln Land Community College

#24 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 581 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harry S Truman College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $7,105 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. College of DuPage is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 759 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for COD is $9,558 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full College of DuPage Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#13

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 554 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $6,779 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Waubonsee

With a ranking of #14, City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 450 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,988 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Malcolm X College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Malcolm X College

#15

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 959 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $8,152 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#16

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carl Sandburg College is a public institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 327 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,729 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Carl Sandburg College

#17

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. South Suburban College is located in South Holland, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 357 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at SSC

With a ranking of #18, City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 534 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Richard J Daley College is $5,247 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Mattoon, Illinois, and it awarded 658 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $6,770 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 estimated yearly cost for Olive-Harvey College is $6,390 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Olive-Harvey College

#21

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 756 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $8,060 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MCC

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Moline, Illinois, this small public school awarded 227 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend BHC is $7,007 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at BHC

#23

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 947 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

ICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Central College is $11,138 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at ICC

#24

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Kankakee, Illinois, and it awarded 227 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,158 for Illinois Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Full Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#25

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. Danville Area Community College is a small school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 308 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,443 for illinois liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend DACC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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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