2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College the best value for a degree in general studies in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,348. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.

4

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,925. 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.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #5 place for general studies. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $13,600. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,912 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,045. Set against $7,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.

9

South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

South Suburban College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,800. General Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.

11

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.

12

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $19,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,164. Set against $11,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Shawnee Community College
Ullin, IL

Shawnee Community College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $23,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.

17

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #17 position for value in general studies this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

18

Highland Community College Freeport
Freeport, IL

Highland Community College Freeport earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,066. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $30,269. Set against $10,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,500. General Studies graduates of Harper College earn a median of $27,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.

20

Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,250. General Studies graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $27,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.

21

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,188 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $27,464. That is a strong return on a $13,188 median debt.

22

Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,437 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $34,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,125. General Studies graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.

24

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,687 median debt.

25

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.