2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Illinois. 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. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Carl Sandburg College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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 general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
A rank of #4 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,568. Set against $6,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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 general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,045. Set against $7,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $5,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,346. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $6,800 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,700. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #12 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. 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 general studies program here. 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.
South Suburban College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #14 position 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. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Joliet Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,438 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $19,982 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,438 median debt.
College Of Dupage earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,066. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $30,269. That is a strong return on a $10,066 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. 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 liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $33,413. Set against $6,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,403. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,437 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $34,909. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
