2024 Best Colleges for Liberal Arts in Illinois

We rigorously analyzed earnings after graduation, student loan debt, and a host of other variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Liberal Arts programs in Illinois. We looked at 36 programs to put our Liberal Arts rankings together to help you find the absolute best schools for Liberal Arts in Illinois. ... Read More

If you’re still wondering whether Liberal Arts is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Liberal Arts: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Liberal Arts in Illinois. Earnings are by no means the most important mark of success for a Liberal Arts undergraduate program, but it is a variable that is widely used across universities and colleges in Illinois. In addition to salary, we also provide average student loans metric and other admissions data points.

In addition, if you scroll all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Liberal Arts degree in Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Liberal Arts Majors in Illinois

What is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts in Illinois?

DePaul University is the best university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on earnings data. On average, graduates from DePaul University earned an average of $60,415 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts in Illinois?

Northeastern Illinois University is the cheapest university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $9,351 to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts in Illinois?

University of Chicago is the most expensive university for majoring in Liberal Arts based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $51,351 to attend University of Chicago.

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#16 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $28,309
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 32
Lewis University
4 Year
Romeoville, IL
Lewis University, located in Romeoville, IL has 32 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $28,309.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 1,797 students
Tuition $29,040
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4.0
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#17 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary $28,055
Average Debt $25,082
Program Size 113
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
4 Year
Carbondale, IL
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, located in Carbondale, IL has 113 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn $28,055.
Acceptance Rate 81%
Undergraduates 4,409 students
Tuition $13,137
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4.0
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#18 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 21
Aurora University
4 Year
Aurora, IL
Aurora University, located in Aurora, IL has 21 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 1,757 students
Tuition $22,080
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4.0
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#19 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 18
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE)
4 Year
Edwardsville, IL
Video Rating
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE), located in Edwardsville, IL has 18 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 88%
Undergraduates 3,241 students
Tuition $10,247
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4.0
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#20 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 15
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
4 Year
Champaign, IL
Video Rating
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), located in Champaign, IL has 15 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 12,243 students
Tuition $15,054
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4.0
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#21 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 14
Lake Forest College
4 Year
Lake Forest, IL
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N/A
Lake Forest College, located in Lake Forest, IL has 14 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 55%
Undergraduates 403 students
Tuition $42,644
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4.0
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#22 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 13
Illinois Institute of Technology
4 Year
Chicago, IL
Video Rating
N/A
Illinois Institute of Technology, located in Chicago, IL has 13 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 2,750 students
Tuition $43,680
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4.0
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#23 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 12
Knox College
4 Year
Galesburg, IL
Video Rating
Knox College, located in Galesburg, IL has 12 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 64%
Undergraduates 309 students
Tuition $41,847
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4.0
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#24 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt $25,006
Program Size 7
Trinity International University-Illinois
4 Year
Deerfield, IL
Trinity International University-Illinois, located in Deerfield, IL has 7 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 66%
Undergraduates 435 students
Tuition $28,700
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4.0
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#25 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 6
Eureka College
4 Year
Eureka, IL
Eureka College, located in Eureka, IL has 6 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 62%
Undergraduates 140 students
Tuition $20,510
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4.0
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#26 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 6
Dominican University
4 Year
River Forest, IL
Dominican University, located in River Forest, IL has 6 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 63%
Undergraduates 1,036 students
Tuition $30,670
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4.0
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#27 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 5
Judson University
4 Year
Elgin, IL
Judson University, located in Elgin, IL has 5 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 71%
Undergraduates 389 students
Tuition $28,170
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4.0
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#28 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 4
Olivet Nazarene University
4 Year
Bourbonnais, IL
Olivet Nazarene University, located in Bourbonnais, IL has 4 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 77%
Undergraduates 1,496 students
Tuition $32,790
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4.0
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#29 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 4
McKendree University
4 Year
Lebanon, IL
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, IL has 4 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 64%
Undergraduates 784 students
Tuition $27,930
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4.0
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#30 Best College for Liberal Arts
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 3
Benedictine University
4 Year
Lisle, IL
Benedictine University, located in Lisle, IL has 3 students majoring in Liberal Arts. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 1,888 students
Tuition $27,465
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4.0
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Other Major Rankings
Best Liberal Arts Programs by State
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