Illinois has a strong economy, picturesque college towns, and the country's third-largest city: Chicago. It's also a great place to attend college online. Illinois' online schools offer degrees in exciting majors at affordable prices.
An online learning format is a great way for Illinois students to save money. You can attend an affordable college without relocating or paying higher living expenses, and many online colleges in Illinois offer discounts for distance learners.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to explore the best online schools in Illinois, along with tips on saving money and applying for scholarships.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
#1 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Lewis University
- Romeoville, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Lewis University stands out for awarding financial aid to nearly every student, with an average total of $25,000 in grants and scholarships for first-year enrollees. The university offers more than 20 fully online degrees, including five accelerated programs that carry a more affordable price tag. Popular majors include computer science, business administration, and professional studies.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $456-$1,171
Out of State | $456-$1,171
Why Students Choose Lewis:
- Tuition Discounts: Accelerated programs offer a discounted tuition rate, and first responders get a 20% discount.
- Career Readiness: Lewis students can access professional advisors and career services for resume-building and interview prep.
- Personalized Teaching: Lewis has a low 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, making it easier to get one-on-one time with teachers.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Flexibility: Lewis offers online students the choice between synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid course formats.
- Defer Tuition: Some programs let working students defer tuition for up to six weeks after a term if their employer provides tuition reimbursement.
- Catholic-Based: Lewis is a Catholic university sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, an international Roman Catholic teaching order.
Percent Online Enrollment
74%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
McKendree University
- Lebanon, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
McKendree University offers eight tuition discounts for undergraduate and graduate students. Online bachelor's and master's degrees are available in psychology, business, and nursing. McKendree supports military-affiliated students with tuition discounts and credits for professional military experience.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $1,080
Out of State | $1,080
Why Students Choose McKendree:
- Tuition Discounts: Certain groups qualify for tuition discounts, including people with associate degrees from Illinois community colleges, military dependents, and educators.
- Business Administration Concentrations: The online BA offers plenty of variety with nine concentrations, including accounting, cyber defense, and management.
- Post-Graduation Success: The university reports that 97% of its graduates find employment or enroll in grad school within six months of finishing their undergrad degrees.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Somewhat Selective: McKendree is a somewhat selective school with an acceptance rate of 64%.
- Financial Aid: McKendree awards 89% of students financial aid, with an average of $22,269 in grants and scholarships.
Percent Online Enrollment
74%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Carbondale, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale awards over $20 million in financial aid each year to undergraduates, with $4 million for new students. The school fixes the tuition rate for first-year students, ensuring no increases during their time at SIU Carbondale. There are 27 online bachelor's and 18 online master's degrees available.
Cost per Year:
In State | $9,638
Out of State | $9,638
Why Students Choose SIU Carbondale:
- Tuition Rates: Online undergraduate students, even those out-of-state, pay the same tuition rate as in-state students.
- One-on-One Teaching: SIU Carbondale has a low 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio to provide more individualized instruction.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Easier Admissions: SIU has a 90% acceptance rate, making it nearly an open admissions school.
- Legacy Tuition: Children of SIU Carbondale graduates save 20% on tuition.
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#4 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
DePaul University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
DePaul University offers a tuition plan to limit costs and reduce student debt. Moreover, its tuition increases are lower than or equal to those of peer schools. The school features 13 online bachelor's and 29 online master's programs.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $796-1,057
Out of State | $796-1,057
Why Students Choose DePaul:
- Diverse Programs: Choose from majors like applied behavioral sciences and nonprofit management. Master's options include cybersecurity and game programming.
- Cost Savers: DePaul offers tuition plans that can help save money and accelerate the time it takes to graduate.
- Online Flexibility: Students can choose from synchronous and asynchronous course options.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid: Eligibility for most financial aid may depend on enrollment status. For example, part-time students may receive a reduced amount of aid from grants.
- Tuition Rate: Part-time undergraduate students are charged by the credit hour, while full-time students pay the same price regardless of their credit hours.
Percent Online Enrollment
60%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#5 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Aurora University
- Aurora, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
At Aurora University, all students receive some type of financial aid. The university offers many scholarships for first-year, transfer, and international students. Additionally, enrollees can access external scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans to reduce costs.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $465
Out of State | $465
Why Students Choose Aurora:
- Scholarship Eligibility: All students receive consideration for scholarships upon admission. These include academic, need-based, and merit-based options.
- Equal Costs: Online students pay the same amount, regardless of whether they live in state or out of state.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Online students cannot receive merit-based scholarships, alumni legacy grants, or some family discounts.
- Rolling Admissions: Aurora reviews applications as they receive them, allowing students to apply year-round.
Percent Online Enrollment
36%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#6 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
University of Illinois Springfield
- Springfield, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
The University of Illinois Springfield is known for its low-cost education as part of the University of Illinois system. Every year, over 21,000 students receive Pell Grants across the university system, and its graduates report lower-than-average debt. Also, the university system's financial aid has increased by nearly 60% in the past 10 years.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $11,025
Out of State | $11,025
Why Students Choose UIS:
- Small Class Sizes: UIS has a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, so students are more likely to receive individualized attention.
- Identical Fees: Online students pay identical fees whether they live in-state or out-of-state.
- Student Resources: Distance learners can use resources like digital libraries, career services, and tech support.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Course Format: UIS delivers most online courses asynchronously.
- Merit Scholarships: First-year students can qualify for merit-based scholarships with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Percent Online Enrollment
83%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#7 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Loyola University Chicago
- River Forest, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Loyola University Chicago makes degrees affordable for 99% of students with financial aid. This aid includes scholarships, like the Dreamer Scholarship, which is available for new transfer students and first-years with undocumented status.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $407-$790
Out of State | $407-$790
Why Students Choose Loyola:
- Transfer Friendly: This transfer-friendly school accepts up to 64 credits from two-year institutions and an unlimited number from four-year universities.
- Financial Support: Loyola awards an average of $33,683 in financial aid.
- Knowledge-Based Credit: Students can leverage their professional history to earn experience-based credits and speed up their graduation timelines.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Tuition Rates: Tuition and fees at Loyola are higher than others but can be offset with financial aid.
- Jesuit Catholic: Loyola is a Jesuit Catholic university, though it's open to people of all faiths.
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#8 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Western Illinois University
- Macomb, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Western Illinois University offers several ways to make college cheaper. These include financial aid, jobs, and tuition guarantees. Undergraduate students who stay continuously enrolled pay the same tuition and fees until graduation. WIU provides 19 online bachelor's and 12 online master's degree programs.
Cost per Year:
In State | $10,095
Out of State | $10,095
Why Students Choose WIU:
- Equal Tuition: Online students pay the same rate as in-state students, even if they live outside of Illinois.
- Quality Instruction: Almost all of WIU's online courses are taught by full-time faculty.
- Faculty Mentorship: WIU offers faculty assistance to online students. Distance learners can receive support with career planning, coursework, and more.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid: Only 54% of WIU students receive financial aid.
- Slightly Selective: WIU admits 75% of students, which is considered a somewhat selective rate.
Percent Online Enrollment
72%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#9 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 years
- Online
What Sets It Apart:
Northern Illinois University reduces the cost of college by awarding 99% of students financial aid. Financial aid options include the AIM High Huskie Pledge program, which covers all tuition and fees for eligible students. NIU offers nine online bachelor's and 20 online master's degree programs.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $377
Out of State | $377
Why Students Choose NIU:
- Guaranteed Admission: NIU admits all students who have at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Merit Scholarships: NIU guarantees renewable merit scholarships for all students who maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Mixed Modalities: NIU offers a mix of asynchronous and synchronous formats rather than limiting students to one format.
- Campus Grant: Online students who are willing to live on campus can qualify for up to $10,000 in grant funding.
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#10 Best Online Colleges in Illinois 2025
National Louis University
- Chicago, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
National Louis University offers affordable degrees, notably for international and transfer students. The school states that tuition for international students is up to 50% less than the national average. Additionally, transfer students with associate degrees from partner schools may receive tuition discounts of 25%.
Cost per Year:
In State | $11,880
Out of State | $11,880
Why Students Choose NLU:
- Structured Pathways: Students follow set course paths so they graduate on time and career-ready, avoiding wasting time and money on unnecessary classes.
- Small Classes: NLU's student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1 helps ensure students connect with each other and professors to get the support they need.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Robust Support: NLU students can access mental health counseling and emergency funds to help them work through various barriers.
- Financial Assistance: NLU offers a range of financing options, including payment plans, loan assistance, grants, and federal work-study.
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula on our most affordable rankings. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
Did you know that Illinois has the 16th-lowest cost of living among the 50 states? This status can help college students keep their expenses low.
10 Fast-Growing Careers in Illinois
Careers in healthcare, management, data, and tech land on the list of the fastest-growing careers in Illinois. Most of these roles require a college degree, such as logistician, manager, nurse practitioner, and political scientist. As these careers continue to grow in demand, attending online school in Illinois can give you a strong return on investment.
Fast-Growing Jobs In Illinois
| Job |
Projected Growth (2020-2030) |
Annual Mean Wage in IL (May 2023) |
| Agents/Business Managers of Performers & Athletes |
56% |
$101,780 |
| Nurse Practitioners |
44% |
$126,900 |
| Political Scientists |
43% |
$88,230 |
| Web Developers |
43% |
$93,100 |
| Surgical Assistants |
42% |
$65,150 |
| Ophthalmologists |
38% |
$65,150 |
| Lodging Managers |
37% |
$69,170 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators |
37% |
$68,110 |
| Statisticians |
35% |
$117,170 |
| Logisticians |
29% |
$74,990 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Projections Central
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Illinois's Job Market
What's the best major for the Illinois job market? The right major depends on your strengths and career goals — but here are some of the most popular options.
-
Business
Majoring in business is a popular choice. Plus, these majors qualify for many in-demand management careers. With a business degree, you can become a market research analyst, financial analyst, or logistician, among other roles.
-
Nursing
The healthcare sector is growing quickly in Illinois. You can prepare for healthcare careers with various majors, but a nursing degree offers a great way to enter an in-demand, high-paying field with many career advancement opportunities.
-
Information Technology
Majoring in information technology, computer science, or a related field can set you up for many tech careers, including information security analyst, web developer, and software developer positions. Tech degrees translate well to online learning environments, as well.
-
Education
Teachers are in high demand, and Illinois stands out for its unique Golden Apple Scholars program, which provides up to $23,000 in funding for college.
Cost of Living in Illinois
Illinois can be one of the most affordable states for attending college. The state's cost of living is lower than more than 30 other states. However, the cost of living varies, with Chicago costing more than downstate areas.
As an online student, you can save money by attending an Illinois college while living in a more affordable part of the state.
Average Cost of Living in Illinois
| Cost of Living Category |
Average Cost Per Month |
| Housing |
$1,171 |
| Groceries & Food |
$365 |
| Transportation |
$784 |
| Medical Care |
$274 |
Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator, using data for 1 Adult without children
Scholarships & Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Illinois
Illinois offers many scholarships and grants to lower your education costs. If you're attending an accredited online school in Illinois, you'll qualify for many of the same scholarship opportunities as on-campus learners.
Illinois residents with financial need can qualify for up to $8,400 in financial assistance when they attend Illinois colleges.
Priority deadline date: Feb. 1
Planning to become a teacher in Illinois? The Golden Apple Scholars program provides up to $23,000 in financial assistance.
Priority claim date: Dec., May
You can qualify for this scholarship if you're an in-state student enrolled in an Illinois nursing program. You'll also need proof of financial need.
Deadline: Apr. 30
Cook County high school students can win four-year scholarships worth $10,000 annually. The scholarship requires attendance at an accredited college.
Deadline: Feb. 1
Chicago Public Schools graduating seniors can receive up to $10,000 a year for four years. You'll need proof of financial need.
Deadline: Feb. 12
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students in Illinois
Some out-of-state students qualify for tuition reciprocity in Illinois, which allows them to pay reduced or in-state tuition rates. For example, at Illinois State University, you may qualify if you live in a state that borders Illinois, such as Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, or Wisconsin. You can save up to $44,000 over four years with this tuition reciprocity benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Illinois
What is the cheapest online college in Illinois?
The cheapest online college in Illinois is Governors State University, which reports an average annual net price of $9,833. Its online program offers many distance degrees, including bachelor's programs in nursing, business, and interdisciplinary studies, along with graduate programs in business, education, and addiction studies.
What is the easiest online college to get into in Illinois?
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranks among the easiest online colleges to get into in Illinois. The public university reports a 98% acceptance rate, meaning nearly all applicants get an acceptance letter.
How much does online college cost in Illinois?
The cost of online college varies depending on the school but will generally be the same tuition price that on-campus students pay. In Illinois, the average cost of tuition at a public college is $14,579, and $35,894 per year at private colleges.
Is online college free in Illinois?
Online college isn't free in Illinois, but scholarships and grants can lower the cost of earning a degree remotely. If you attend an accredited online college, you can qualify for the same federal and state financial aid programs as in-person students.
Do I need to be a resident of Illinois to attend an online college in Illinois?
No — you don't need to be an Illinois resident to enroll in online colleges in Illinois. You can attend a program offered by an Illinois college from another state. Many colleges offer flat tuition rates to distance learners, regardless of their residency.
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