Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 20 colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,713 recent graduates. Graduates in Illinois earn $34,914 on average within two years — 8% above the national average of $32,217, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

Schools in IL

$34,914

IL Avg. Earnings

$32,217

National Avg.

559

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Illinois

Public Schools (9)

$32,238

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (11)

$38,355

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $6,117 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,324

Graduates: 203

Acceptance: 4.8%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,630

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 7.1%

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$59,756

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,652

Graduates: 321

Acceptance: 73.5%

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 72.8%

Quincy University

Quincy, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,865

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 49.9%

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 85.1%

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$33,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,748

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 70.5%

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$32,658

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,956

Graduates: 249

Acceptance: 75.0%

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$33,604

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,313

Graduates: 140

Acceptance: 70.4%

#10

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,559

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 85.8%

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$32,634

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,984

Graduates: 178

Acceptance: 67.8%

#12

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$27,222

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,380

Graduates: 151

Acceptance: 89.0%

#13

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$32,498

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,787

Graduates: 130

Acceptance: N/A

#14

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$27,280

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,026

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 90.4%

#16

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,644

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 84.4%

#17

Trinity International University-Illinois

Deerfield, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,970

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 93.2%

#18

Blackburn College

Carlinville, IL · Private

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL · Public

$32,391

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,460

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 40.5%

#20

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$28,309

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 72.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Illinois?

University of Chicago ranks #1 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $28,960 within two years of graduation. There are 20 schools offering Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state.

How much do Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates earn in Illinois?

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates in Illinois earn an average of $34,914 within two years of graduation. This is 8% above the national average of $32,217 for this major.

What is the hardest Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities school to get into in Illinois?

University of Chicago is the most selective Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 4.8%. The average acceptance rate across Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs in the state is 68.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs produce average earnings of $38,355 vs $32,238 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 11 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

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Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.