2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright 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. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,322. Set against $9,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

A rank of #2 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College one of the best values for liberal arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $29,168. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt.

4

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

A rank of #4 makes Carl Sandburg College one of the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,529. Set against $6,000 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 liberal arts. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized 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 liberal arts graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $32,568. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $13,600 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts 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 earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,912 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value 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, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,342. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.

10

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts 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, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,800. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $22,700. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.

11

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,665 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.

12

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,346. Liberal Arts graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $24,754 early in their careers. Set against $7,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,022 median debt.

14

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,759 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $39,727. Set against $20,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $22,915 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $28,721. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $27,619. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.

21

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,377. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.

22

South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

South Suburban College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. 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 liberal arts graduates is $12,438. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $19,982. That is a strong return on a $12,438 median debt.

24

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $27,643. Set against $11,511 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $29,791. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.