2023 Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities School for You
In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #3 most popular in the country.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 172 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region
The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Best Great Lakes Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Liberal Arts & Humanities
Our 2023 rankings named University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex the best value school in the Great Lakes Region for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, UWM Flexible Option is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UWM Flexible Option are $6,750 a year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from UWM Flexible Option carry an average student debtload of $11,000.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Flex Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Oakland Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills.
Oakland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees each year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Oakland Community College take out $12,585 in student loans while working on their degree.
Out of the 172 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Wayne County Community College District landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Detroit, WCCCD is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCCCD are $3,998 a year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from WCCCD take out $18,083 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Wayne County Community College District
The excellent programs at Southwestern Illinois College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the large suburb of Belleville, SWIC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SWIC are $5,940 a year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from SWIC carry an average student debtload of $8,405.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Southwestern Illinois College
Out of the 172 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Macomb Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Warren.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Macomb Community College are $7,680 a year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Macomb Community College take out an average of $8,250 in student loans while working on their egree.
Macomb Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Delta College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Delta College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of University Center.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Delta College are $7,100 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Delta College take out is $11,250.
Madison Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #7 on the list. Madison College is a large public school located in the large city of Madison.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Madison College are $6,769 a year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Madison College take out $14,750 in student loans while working on their degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Madison College also did well on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Madison Area Technical College Report
Glen Oaks Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Centreville, GOCC is a public school with a small student population.
GOCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,408 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at GOCC take out is $7,750.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Glen Oaks Community College
University of Akron Wayne College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University of Akron Wayne College is a public school with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at University of Akron Wayne College are $6,505 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at University of Akron Wayne College take out is $30,625. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $302.
With a ranking of #10, Stark State College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a public school with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Stark State College are $7,406 per year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Stark State College take out is $16,375.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Stark State College
With a ranking of #11, Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Cuyahoga Community College District is a large public school located in the large city of Cleveland.
Cuyahoga Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $8,586 in tuition and fees each year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Cuyahoga Community College District take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cuyahoga Community College District
Schoolcraft College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Schoolcraft College is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Livonia.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Schoolcraft College are $7,574 a year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Schoolcraft College carry an average student debtload of $10,444.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Schoolcraft College
Washtenaw Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Washtenaw Community College are $5,856 per year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Washtenaw Community College take out $15,316 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Washtenaw Community College Report
Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the large city of Milwaukee, MATC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MATC are $6,908 per year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MATC carry an average student debtload of $12,250.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Milwaukee Area Technical College Report
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cincinnati State are $9,090 per year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Cincinnati State carry an average student debtload of $14,666.
Cincinnati State also claimed a spot on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Black Hawk College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in the small city of Moline, BHC is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BHC are $7,650 a year. While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at BHC accumulate an average of around $7,500 in student debt.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Black Hawk College Report
With a ranking of #16, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. LLCC is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LLCC are $10,068 per year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from LLCC take out $11,055 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lincoln Land Community College
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ivy Tech Community College are $8,927 a year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Ivy Tech Community College take out is $10,905.
Ivy Tech Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
IWU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,239 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from IWU carry an average student debtload of $25,511.
Lakeland Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Lakeland is a small public school located in the suburb of Kirtland.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Lakeland are $8,975 a year. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Lakeland take out an average of $11,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lakeland Community College Report
Mott Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. MCC is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Flint.
MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,091 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at MCC accumulate an average of around $17,081 in student debt.
Sinclair Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public school with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Sinclair Community College are $8,076 per year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Sinclair Community College take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
Monroe County Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Monroe County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Monroe.
Monroe County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,760 in tuition and fees each year. On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Monroe County Community College take out $13,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
With a ranking of #24, Owens Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Owens State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Perrysburg.
Owens State Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,782 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Owens State Community College carry an average student debtload of $20,000.
Edison State Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison Community College is a public college with a small student population.
Edison Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,626 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Edison Community College take out is $14,306.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Edison State Community College
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL |
| 28 | Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL |
| 29 | Henry Ford College | Dearborn, MI |
| 30 | Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI |
| 31 | Ohio University - Eastern Campus | Saint Clairsville, OH |
| 32 | Marion Technical College | Marion, OH |
| 33 | Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL |
| 34 | Clark State Community College | Springfield, OH |
Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges by State
Explore the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Indiana | 3,815 |
| Michigan | 9,711 |
| Ohio | 11,432 |
| Illinois | 18,292 |
| Wisconsin | 2,376 |
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Majors Related to Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts General Studies | 556,813 |
Most Popular Majors Related 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 26 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 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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