2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 84 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,348 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Carl Sandburg College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,529. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. 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 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. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $34,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,912 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $28,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,346 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,754. Set against $7,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,900. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,800. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,700. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.
South Suburban College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $28,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,915. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Joliet Junior College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,438 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
College Of Dupage came in at #17 for value in liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $25,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. 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.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $27,597. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Students borrow a median of $10,066 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,437 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,188 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $27,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
