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Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois

58 Colleges
$27,957 Avg Salary
$14,623 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Liberal Arts General Studies 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 58 schools in Illinois to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for liberal arts majors pursuing a .

Top 10 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Our 2023 rankings named Northwestern University the best school in Illinois for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Northwestern take out an average of $17,905 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#2

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend DePaul University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts majors at DePaul take out is $41,162.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at DePaul University

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Illinois University is a great place for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the town of Macomb, WIU is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts graduates from WIU take out $30,684 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $216.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln Land Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois list. LLCC is a small public school located in the city of Springfield.

On average, liberal arts graduates from LLCC take out $11,055 in student loans while working on their degree.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Rainey Harper College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois list. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a large student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Harper College take out an average of $7,684 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at William Rainey Harper College Report

#6

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee is a moderately-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 is $7,250.

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

#7

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts general studies programs. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from UChicago carry an average student debtload of $14,000.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Chicago Report

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL

With a ranking of #8, Joliet Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for liberal arts general studies students. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts graduates from Joliet Junior College carry an average student debtload of $8,805.

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Southwestern Illinois College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois 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 is $8,405.

Full Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwestern Illinois College Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts general studies programs. Located in the large city of Chicago, Harold Washington College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Liberal Arts majors at Harold Washington College take out an average of $8,094 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

Best Liberal Arts General Studies Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools 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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