Online Colleges in Illinois

Taking college courses online enables students to learn from almost anywhere. And especially during the peak impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many students took advantage of this flexibility.

In 2020 – the most recent year in which data is available – nearly 51% of Illinois undergraduates were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses in postsecondary institutions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In addition, nearly 22% of college students in the state were enrolled in some distance learning. The NCES defines distance education as using “one or more types of technology to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor.”

Students enrolling in online courses can complete their degree on their own time. Online college can be beneficial for many kinds of students: first-year students, students with community college credits, or those returning to school after a leave of absence or for a career change, for example.

Whether you are looking for a program with the flexibility to learn while you’re working full time or taking care of family, or you prefer the convenience of the distance learning format, Illinois’ online colleges have options worth exploring.

Yes, you can earn a college degree online from a school in Illinois. In-state and out-of-state students may enroll in online Illinois schools. Curriculum for online and on-campus programs at the same school typically match, and students earn the same degree.

Prospective students should ensure their school and program of interest are accredited. A school achieves accreditation when an outside authority, such as an organization recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the nonprofit Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), conducts a review to ensure a school or degree program meets and maintains certain standards of quality and rigor. Students can find this information by visiting the program’s website or the Department of Education's or CHEA’s website.

Some students may enroll in Illinois online degree programs because they are already familiar with the school through their community, family or friends. Earning a degree from a school in your area could be beneficial as local employers may more easily recognize the school on your resume.

Typically, hiring managers and employers care more about the degree itself than the format through which it was earned. Don’t shy away from mentioning your online degree – it’s a good way to highlight your time-management skills and self-discipline.

See below for a list of online programs available in Illinois, surveyed by U.S. News.

In Illinois, the majority of students are enrolled in at least some online courses, according to the NCES. In 2020, the state had 62 schools with bachelor's degree-seeking students enrolled exclusively in distance education courses and 61 schools with bachelor's degree-seeking students enrolled in some, but not all, distance education courses, based on U.S. News survey data of online bachelor's degree programs.

Across the country, students have the choice of public or private schools. Public schools are mainly funded by the government, while private schools operate on endowments and tuition. One major difference between the two is the breadth of programs public schools tend to offer.

All public schools are nonprofit, while private schools can be nonprofit or for-profit. Nonprofits support students seeking degrees for careers and continuing education opportunities. The funding public schools receive from the government is infused back into the school’s educational programs. For-profit schools provide occupational training programs and collect tuition and fees as a business, distributing profits among owners, investors and shareholders.

Online learners may be in good company at large public schools, as these schools tend to have high enrollments and established online learning frameworks. Some small private schools may have adopted online learning more recently, which could mean they’re still implementing best practices.

For example, some public schools in the state, like the University of Illinois system, have been offering online degree programs for nearly three decades. The enrollment for University of Illinois--Springfield’s online bachelor’s degree programs in the 2020-2021 school year was more than 1,000 students, according to U.S. News data.

According to U.S. News data, here are the bachelor's degree subjects that are offered at the most universities in Illinois:

Those with demanding work schedules and ambitions of earning a college degree may find online courses advantageous. In addition, online learning may be right for students who want to pursue the best program for their field of study no matter how far the school is from home.

Know that earning an online degree is not easier than earning a traditional in-person degree, but there are resources available to support any learning situation. Online courses require self-motivation, discipline and time-management skills for successful completion. Students should carefully consider whether they are ready for an online course load, especially if they are used to learning via an in-person format.

Online learning might not be the best option for every student, especially for those who prefer in-person interactions like participating in extracurricular activities, studying with classmates or connecting with a professor during office hours.

To maximize your online learning experience, figure out how you learn best. And if you’re unsure, you may only know if an online course is right for you by trying it.

Online college in Illinois can be less expensive than traditional in-person college; in-state tuition at public schools tends to be the most affordable option.

On average, an online degree from a public school in Illinois for in-state students costs $349.50 per credit, according to U.S. News survey data of online bachelor's degree tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year. And the average out-of-state cost per credit for an online school in Illinois is $426.67. A degree earned from an in-person public school in Illinois costs $300 per credit, according to U.S. News survey data of bachelor's degree tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Private schools tend to be more expensive. The average cost of a credit for an online private school in Illinois is $521.92, according to U.S. News survey data of online bachelor's degree tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year. For in-person private school in the state it’s $1,403.52, according to U.S. News survey data of bachelor's degree tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Based on these comparisons, the most affordable option for an education in Illinois is an in-person public school, and an online public school comes in second.

Though students may save on tuition costs through online learning, this learning format may require paying fees, including a technology fee, distance learning fee or financial aid fee. But online learners can cut traditional costs like transportation or parking, sports center fees, and activity fees, for example.

In addition, working students in an online program may be able to have their tuition paid for by their employers through employer tuition reimbursement.

Students planning to enroll in online courses through an out-of-state school should ensure that their home state is a party to a state reciprocity agreement, which allows institutions to offer distance education courses to students outside of the school's home state without following state-specific regulations.

Through these regional compacts, distance learners attending college outside of their home state can pay less than typical out-of-state tuition. Illinois is a member of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, but it is not currently part of the volunteer multi-state tuition discount reciprocity program.

While searching for an online college, consider the following factors: tuition, reputation, distance education resources and accreditation. The school must fit your needs as a student, so think about what services will facilitate your learning. Also consider which schools offer well-established programs in your major of choice. A good place to start your research is with the U.S. News rankings of accredited online programs.

Then, figure out what format for online learning works for you. Do you need some structure? Or maybe you’re looking to earn your degree completely on your schedule. Some programs require students to learn through synchronous class sessions, or real-time videoconferencing, which promotes interaction with classmates and the instructor. Synchronous programs stick to a set schedule of classes, lectures, assignments and discussions.

Most online courses have a self-paced, or asynchronous, component. In this format, students must follow weekly deadlines but can listen to lectures and complete readings and discussions whenever they wish. Hybrid courses allow students to work remotely but require a few in-person meetings.

Ultimately, only you will know what the right learning format is for you. Weigh this advice with your own research to make the best investment in your education.