2027 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools to find the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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Best Schools for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts / sciences & humanities education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $59,139 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans.
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University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 172 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $26,094 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Harper College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 1,724 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Harper College earn around $27,619 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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College Of Dupage is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. There were roughly 787 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
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Students looking for a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities program will find one at Lewis University, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838.
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College Of Lake County ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 1,717 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,687.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 12 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $54,302 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans.
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Aurora University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 24 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,614 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Joliet Junior College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 677 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,296 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
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Loyola University Chicago ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 32 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $7,761 in student loans.
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Illinois State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 122 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $31,745 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,621 to complete this degree.
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Eastern Illinois University came in at #12 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 92 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $40,273 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
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Waubonsee Community College earned the #13 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. About 528 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,597 in their early career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans.
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Rock Valley College earned the #14 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 545 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $27,601 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,035 to complete this degree.
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Elgin Community College came in at #15 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. About 1,275 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $25,377 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,380.
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Northeastern Illinois University earned the #16 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 101 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $42,976. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
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Depaul University came in at #17 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Depaul University earn around $73,200 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $42,350 to complete this degree.
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Lincoln Land Community College came in at #18 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. About 390 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Typical student debt for the program is $11,022.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 849 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn around $31,322 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,348.
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Oakton Community College came in at #20 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. About 987 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Oakton Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Northern Illinois University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 89 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $29,426. Students borrow a median of $30,839 to complete this degree.
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Mchenry County College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. About 974 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program make about $19,740 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,581.
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Illinois Central College earned the #23 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. About 1,166 liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees were awarded at Illinois Central College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Illinois Central College earn a median of $29,845 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,656 to complete this degree.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #24 for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 1,059 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans.
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Morton College earned the #25 position for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. There were roughly 180 liberal arts / sciences & humanities students who graduated with this degree at Morton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree from Morton College earn around $31,829 in the first couple years of their career. Morton College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also placed among the best for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 62 schools evaluated.
- 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.
