Online Colleges in Illinois

The popularity of online courses continues to grow among Illinois college students. The Distance Education State Almanac reports an almost 32% increase in the number of students taking distance learning courses in Illinois between 2012 and 2015. Over 12% of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Illinois schools choose to take all their courses online, and approximately 45% of these students are in state. Recent legislation has created a taskforce to help Illinois institutions address the career interests of high school students.

Illinois hosts a variety of degree-granting institutions, including its state-funded public schools, independently sponsored liberal arts colleges, and internationally recognized private research universities. Students can also choose from a system of publicly funded community colleges located throughout the state, as well as several for-profit trade and vocational schools. These institutions deliver associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees in on-campus and online formats. This guide to the best online colleges in Illinois presents a useful overview of the overall higher education environment in Illinois, providing information on enrollment and costs at nonprofit and for-profit schools, financial aid opportunities, and the most promising job prospects for degree holders.

Featured Online Programs