Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Illinois. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
We ensure all colleges on our list are accredited, meaning they hold up to the high quality standards of an accrediting organization. In Illinois, most of the colleges fall under the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor in the North Central region serving higher learning institutions in 19 states. The organization provides quality assurance in higher education.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Illinois
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Illinois
Does Illinois have good online colleges and universities?
Illinois’s online bachelor’s and graduate degree programs are some of the strongest in the country. For instance, U.S. News & World Report ranks University of Illinois Chicago as the second best school in the country for online bachelor’s degree programs (Loyola University Chicago and Illinois State University are ranked in the top 25 as well). At the graduate level, many of Illinois’s online programs are also highly ranked, with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earning the No. 1 spot for best online Master’s in Civil Engineering. The state of Illinois is truly a leader in high-quality online postsecondary education.
It’s also worth mentioning that we selected the University of Illinois Chicago as one of the 30 best schools in the entire United States for distance education. For more information, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top options in the country for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Illinois cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some colleges offer discounted rates for online courses regardless of where you live, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. In-state and out-of-state online students tend to pay the same tuition at Illinois universities; however, this is not the case at Illinois State University. At the community college level, out-of-state students pay more than in-state students.
Why should you choose Illinois for online higher education?
Illinois has online bachelor’s and graduate degree programs that consistently rank at the top of nationwide comparisons. This tells you that as an online student, you will get a flexible education that does not sacrifice anything in the way of quality. Illinois’s wide range of online degree programs also means it’s more likely you’ll find an affordable option.
The Cost of Online College in Illinois
How much does an online degree in Illinois cost?
The cost of an online degree in Illinois depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you choose to pursue. For example, undergraduate courses are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you may find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save a lot of money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the current rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Illinois below:
Most affordable online college in Illinois: Governors State University, $313 per credit
Most expensive online college in Illinois: Illinois State University, $789 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Illinois to get in-state tuition rates?
Establishing Illinois residency typically requires you to have resided in Illinois for at least 12 months prior to declaring Illinois residency. You must prove you are in the state for a reason other than education, so you cannot enroll at a college or university more than half-time during the year in which you are establishing Illinois residency.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Illinois?
Illinois offers several ways to reduce your tuition costs. Prior to 2021, the state participated in the Midwest Student Exchange Program, which enables online students from the Midwest to pay reduced tuition at other colleges and universities in the Midwest. As of 2021, Illinois is an inactive member of the program, meaning you cannot currently benefit from the tuition reciprocity agreements. However, it is possible Illinois will become active in the program in the future.
Several public universities in Illinois offer generous grants and aid packages. For instance, through the Illinois Commitment, University of Illinois guarantees free tuition to Illinois residents whose families make less than $67,100 per year and have less than $50,000 in assets. Eligibility is determined based on FAFSA application data, so it’s important to file early and accurately. The FAFSA will also show if you are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and other financial aid awards.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Illinois
In addition to university-specific funding, there are a number of other programs available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are also based on financial need, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent financial aid options for you below:
George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship program awards $10,000 per year to successful students from Cook County, Illinois who demonstrate substantial financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.
Who’s eligible? Residents of Cook County, Illinois who demonstrate strong financial need, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and will attend an accredited four-year institution.
Contact information: Online form | 312-422-0444
Greenhouse Scholars Program
Open to students from Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina, this is a holistic scholars program that provides not only funding but also mentorship, support, and cocurricular leadership development to students from low-income communities. The goal is to stop the cycle of poverty and create generational change.
Who’s eligible? Legal residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, or North Carolina who have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above, demonstrate financial need, and possess strong leadership, grit, and commitment to community.
Contact information: [email protected] | 720-449-7444
Chicago Engineers Foundation Awards
The CEF awards merit-based grants ranging from $1,200 to $1,500 to students living in Chicago or graduating from a high school in or near Chicago.
Who’s eligible? Students living in Chicago or graduating from a Chicago high school who will major in an engineering field.
Contact information: [email protected]
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program
Geared toward future teachers in Illinois schools in need, this program provides up to $23,000 in tuition assistance and paid training programs, as well as mentoring and real-world classroom experience, to high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores who want to be teachers.
Who’s eligible? Illinois residents/students at partner institutions in Illinois who intend to become teachers and teach in high-need schools in Illinois.
Contact information: Online form | 312-407-0006
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Illinois
If you’re still in the process of assessing your college options, you may also be undecided on your major. When selecting a major, one of the most important factors to consider is your future employability. Thinking about which industries and careers are growing the fastest in Illinois can make it easier to find a job once you graduate, and being in demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Occupational Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Illinois:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Illinois, they earn an average salary of $122,310.
- Growth: 43.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $114,060.
- Growth: 25.3%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants (PAs) are one of the most in-demand health professionals. They work under physicians to support patient care and must complete extensive education and medical training. They are not as highly compensated as physicians, but they still tend to make six-figure salaries. The average annual PA salary in Illinois is $124,810.
- Growth: 24.4%
- Degree options: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
Financial Managers
Financial managers tend to the financial health of an organization. Over the next decade, Illinois expects to create nearly 6,000 financial manager jobs, making it one of the highest growth careers in the state. Financial managers in Illinois earn an average salary of $155,070.
- Growth: 18.1%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Bachelor’s in Finance, Bachelor’s in Management, Bachelor’s in Economics, Bachelor’s in Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Software Developers and Testers
As governments, companies, and individuals become ever more reliant on web-based technologies, it’s no surprise the skills of software developers and testers are in high demand. Salaries in this field tend to be quite high — in Illinois, software developers earn an average salary of $120,180, and software testers make $94,660.
- Growth: 18%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Software Engineering, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Software Engineering, Master’s in Computer Science