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Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Illinois

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

Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You

In 2020-2021, liberal arts / sciences and humanities students earned 18,292 degrees and certificates from an Illinois school, making the subject the 3rd in the state.

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 48 schools in Illinois to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Illinois

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

Top 10 Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Our analysis found Northwestern University to be the best school for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students who want to pursue a degree in Illinois. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debtload of $17,905.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northwestern University Report

#2

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

Out of the 48 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, DePaul University landed the # 2 spot on the list. DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at DePaul accumulate an average of around $41,162 in student debt.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Illinois University is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. WIU is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Macomb.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at WIU take out is $30,684. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $216.

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The excellent programs at Lincoln Land Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools in Illinois. Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, LLCC is a public college with a small student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at LLCC take out an average of $11,055 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lincoln Land Community College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend William Rainey Harper College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Illinois list. Harper College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palatine.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Harper College accumulate an average of around $7,684 in student debt.

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#6

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in Illinois list. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Waubonsee take out is $7,250.

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#7

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at UChicago take out is $14,000.

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#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Joliet Junior College is a large public school located in the suburb of Joliet.

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

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City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Chicago.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Harold Washington College take out $8,094 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#10

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL

McHenry County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, MCC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MCC carry an average student debtload of $6,625.

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Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

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

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

Majors Similar to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities

Related Major Annual Graduates
Visual & Performing Arts 149,215
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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