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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

42 Colleges
$24,682 Avg Salary
$12,147 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, liberal arts general studies was ranked 2nd in Illinois. In fact, 18,292 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois

Check out the liberal arts associate degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools

Our 2023 rankings named William Rainey Harper College the best school in Illinois for liberal arts general studies students working on their associate degree. Located in the large suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, liberal arts majors at Harper College accumulate an average of around $10,983 in student debt.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at William Rainey Harper College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lincoln Land Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. LLCC is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.

Liberal Arts majors at LLCC take out an average of $13,858 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois list. Located in the city of Chicago, Harold Washington College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from Harold Washington College take out $11,539 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#4

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL

The excellent associate degree programs at Waubonsee Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in Illinois. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Waubonsee take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,193.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Waubonsee Community College Report

#5

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL

The excellent associate degree programs at Joliet Junior College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts general studies schools in Illinois. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at Joliet Junior College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $10,422.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College

Elgin Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of Elgin, ECC is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from ECC take out $9,354 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Elgin Community College

Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for liberal arts general studies students to get a associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the suburb of Belleville, SWIC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at SWIC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $10,772.

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#8

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL

McHenry County College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. MCC is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at MCC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $9,316.

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#9

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL

College of Lake County landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree liberal arts general studies programs. College of Lake County is a large public school located in the large suburb of Grayslake.

After completing their Associate Degree, liberal arts graduates from College of Lake County carry an average student debtload of $10,720.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Lake County Report

#10

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL

College of DuPage came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, COD is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from COD take out $12,979 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at College of DuPage Report

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 9,711
Ohio 11,432
Indiana 3,815
Wisconsin 2,376

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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.

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