Best Online Colleges in Illinois

TBS Staff Writers
By
Updated on October 18, 2023
Get started with your search for top-ranked schools in Illinois. Discover which colleges offer programs that fit your needs.

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Recent changes have transformed education for the better in Illinois.

As part of the state’s 2010 Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success, colleges and universities began significantly increasing their efforts to create quality online programs. As a result, there are several excellent online colleges in Illinois. In particular, Illinois colleges and universities offer dozens of online programs in business and business–related concentrations, including McKendree University’s master’s degree in sports management and DePaul University’s master’s in business information technology. Chicago also offers many opportunities for internships and other career–related field work.

While tuition can be relatively high, many of the state’s higher education institutions offer generous financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Enrolling in one of the many online schools in Illinois is a good choice for students who seek a more flexible education, as most online programs allow students to complete coursework at their own pace. If you’re living in the state and are looking to head back to school, now is the right time to pursue an online degree in Illinois.

The Best Online Colleges in Illinois

#1 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

University of Illinois at Chicago

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,924
  • Out-of-state$26,224
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,276
  • Out-of-state$23,850
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate73%
  • Students Enrolled32,324
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment24%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Loyola University Chicago

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$44,105
  • Out-of-state$44,105
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$18,594
  • Out-of-state$18,594
  • Retention Rate85%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled17,159
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment15%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield

  • Location-markerSpringfield, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,520
  • Out-of-state$15,948
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,270
  • Out-of-state$15,240
  • Retention Rate79%
  • Acceptance Rate77%
  • Students Enrolled4,275
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment70%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

  • Location-markerCarbondale, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,456
  • Out-of-state$23,640
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,268
  • Out-of-state$28,170
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate66%
  • Students Enrolled11,695
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment38%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Lewis University

  • Location-markerRomeoville, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$33,270
  • Out-of-state$33,270
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$14,400
  • Out-of-state$14,400
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled6,359
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment43%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Location-markerChampaign, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$14,188
  • Out-of-state$33,127
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$14,997
  • Out-of-state$28,404
  • Retention Rate93%
  • Acceptance Rate59%
  • Students Enrolled51,605
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment39%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Lincoln Christian University

  • Location-markerLincoln, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,590
  • Out-of-state$13,590
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,154
  • Out-of-state$8,154
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled672
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment43%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

McKendree University

  • Location-markerLebanon, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$30,540
  • Out-of-state$30,540
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,522
  • Out-of-state$9,522
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate63%
  • Students Enrolled2,292
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment47%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

University of St. Francis

  • Location-markerJoliet, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$34,000
  • Out-of-state$34,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,464
  • Out-of-state$13,464
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate46%
  • Students Enrolled3,776
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment63%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Eastern Illinois University

  • Location-markerCharleston, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,875
  • Out-of-state$11,045
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,356
  • Out-of-state$17,654
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate53%
  • Students Enrolled7,806
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment34%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Illinois Institute of Technology

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$47,299
  • Out-of-state$47,299
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$29,487
  • Out-of-state$29,487
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate60%
  • Students Enrolled6,515
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment16%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

DePaul University

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$40,551
  • Out-of-state$40,551
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$19,584
  • Out-of-state$19,584
  • Retention Rate85%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled22,064
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment30%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Aurora University

  • Location-markerAurora, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$24,800
  • Out-of-state$24,800
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,600
  • Out-of-state$12,600
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate87%
  • Students Enrolled6,246
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment20%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

National Louis University

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,200
  • Out-of-state$13,200
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,646
  • Out-of-state$11,646
  • Retention Rate58%
  • Acceptance Rate98%
  • Students Enrolled7,005
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment47%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Roosevelt University

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$30,876
  • Out-of-state$30,876
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$20,858
  • Out-of-state$20,858
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate67%
  • Students Enrolled4,071
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment44%
  • AccreditationYes
#16 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Benedictine University

  • Location-markerLisle, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$31,084
  • Out-of-state$31,084
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$18,273
  • Out-of-state$18,273
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance Rate42%
  • Students Enrolled4,401
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment42%
  • AccreditationYes
#17 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University

  • Location-markerBourbonnais, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$36,080
  • Out-of-state$36,080
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,420
  • Out-of-state$13,420
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate58%
  • Students Enrolled4,317
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#18 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

North Park University

  • Location-markerChicago, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$30,360
  • Out-of-state$30,360
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$13,896
  • Out-of-state$13,896
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate48%
  • Students Enrolled2,892
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment20%
  • AccreditationYes
#19 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Greenville University

  • Location-markerGreenville, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$27,580
  • Out-of-state$27,580
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,082
  • Out-of-state$8,082
  • Retention Rate62%
  • Acceptance Rate56%
  • Students Enrolled1,092
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#20 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

Quincy University

  • Location-markerQuincy, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$30,450
  • Out-of-state$30,450
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,800
  • Out-of-state$10,800
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance Rate62%
  • Students Enrolled1,148
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment40%
  • AccreditationYes

Best Online Colleges

Illinois

2023


The Best Schools

Online Colleges in Illinois Ranking Guidelines

We selected the online schools in Illinois based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.