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Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region

331 Colleges
$29,415 Avg Salary
$19,554 Avg Student Debt

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 Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 331 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities program at each school on the list.

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

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

Our 2023 rankings named Ivy Tech Community College the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the large city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Ivy Tech Community College take out $10,905 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Ivy Tech Community College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cuyahoga Community College District. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a large public school located in the large city of Cleveland.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Cuyahoga Community College District carry an average student debt load of $12,000.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cuyahoga Community College District Report

The excellent programs at William Rainey Harper College helped the school earn the #3 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 Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Harper College take out $7,684 in student loans while working on their 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 #4 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Harold Washington College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

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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#5

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means College of Lake County is a great place for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. College of Lake County is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Grayslake.

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

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Washtenaw Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Washtenaw Community College take out $15,316 in student loans while working on their degree.

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

With a ranking of #7, Columbus State Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Columbus State is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Columbus State accumulate an average of around $12,527 in student debt.

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#8

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #8 on the list. Vincennes University is a fairly large public school located in the town of Vincennes.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Vincennes University take out an average of $12,644 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $105.

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Macomb Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Warren.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Macomb Community College take out an average of $8,250 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Moraine Valley Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, MVCC is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MVCC carry an average student debt load of $8,250.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Moraine Valley Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Chicago.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Wilbur Wright College accumulate an average of around $6,634 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL

College of DuPage did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Glen Ellyn, COD is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at COD take out an average of $10,119 in student loans while working on their egree.

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Elgin Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Elgin, ECC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from ECC carry an average student debt load of $7,000.

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

Lorain County Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. LCCC is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Elyria.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at LCCC take out an average of $12,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#15

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL

McHenry County College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. MCC is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at MCC take out is $6,625.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at McHenry County College Report

#16

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, IL

With a ranking of #16, Oakton Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Des Plaines.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Oakton Community College take out an average of $5,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

#17

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Oakland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. It came in at #17 on the list. Oakland Community College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Bloomfield Hills.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Oakland Community College take out $12,585 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Oakland Community College Report

#18

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the midsize city of Grand Rapids.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Grand Rapids Community College take out is $12,500.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Grand Rapids Community College Report

With a ranking of #19, Kent State University at Stark did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Located in the large suburb of Canton, Kent State University at Stark is a public school with a small student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Kent State University at Stark take out $27,075 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $206, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#20

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public college with a large student population.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities majors at Joliet Junior College take out an average of $8,805 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Joliet Junior College

With a ranking of #21, Eastern Gateway Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for liberal arts / sciences and humanities students. Eastern Gateway Community College is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Steubenville.

While working on their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Eastern Gateway Community College accumulate an average of around $13,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Eastern Gateway Community College

#22

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of East Peoria, ICC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from ICC take out $6,937 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Illinois Central College

#23

Triton College

River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Triton College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of River Grove.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from Triton College carry an average student debt load of $8,750.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Triton College

Mott Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs. MCC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint.

After completing their degree, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates from MCC carry an average student debt load of $17,081.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Mott Community College Report

Heartland Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Heartland Community College is a small public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal.

The average amount in student loans that liberal arts / sciences and humanities majors at Heartland Community College take out is $11,000.

Full Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Heartland Community College Report

#26

Rock Valley College

Rockford, IL
#27

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL
#28

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, OH
#30

Black Hawk College

Moline, IL
#31

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, IL
#33

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL
#35

Parkland College

Champaign, IL
#36

Lakeland Community College

Kirtland, OH
#37

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, IL
#40

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, IL
#43

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, MI
#44

Northwestern Michigan College

Traverse City, MI
#46

Delta College

University Center, MI

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Liberal Arts & Humanities students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Most Popular Liberal Arts & Humanities Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
50 Schoolcraft College Livonia, MI
51 Kankakee Community College Kankakee, IL
52 Rend Lake College Ina, IL
53 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH
54 Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby, IL
55 Kishwaukee College Malta, IL
56 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
57 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI
58 Prairie State College Chicago Heights, IL
58 South Suburban College South Holland, IL
60 Muskegon Community College Muskegon, MI
61 Ball State University Muncie, IN
62 Richland Community College Decatur, IL
63 John Wood Community College Quincy, IL
64 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
65 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
66 Shawnee Community College Ullin, IL

Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Colleges by State

Explore the best liberal arts / sciences and humanities colleges 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

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts General Studies 556,813

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.

  • 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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