2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 334 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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 general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,322. Set against $9,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,925. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,168. Set against $12,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,600. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,644. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 general studies graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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.
Carl Sandburg College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Danville Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,912. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $28,045 early in their careers. Set against $7,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,022. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Set against $11,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $22,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,665 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts 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.
College Of Dupage landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,346 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $24,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $25,377. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,915. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Delta College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Delta College earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $33,413. That is a strong return on a $6,687 median debt.
Macomb Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,791. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $20,759 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,759 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,597. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $37,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 334 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 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.
