2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, our #1 best value for general studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,348. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $29,168. Set against $12,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $27,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $34,644. Set against $13,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $32,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $28,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,665 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. Set against $14,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.

10

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,900. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $20,759. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,727. That is a strong return on a $20,759 median debt.

13

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $22,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.

14

Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,721. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

South Suburban College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $28,465. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

West Shore Community College
Scottville, MI

West Shore Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. West Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Scottville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,387 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from West Shore Community College generally make around $25,852. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $27,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,438. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $19,982. That is a strong return on a $12,438 median debt.

21

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.

22

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $27,362. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

25

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.