Of the more than 200 colleges and universities in Illinois, almost 150 of them offer online degree programs and distance learning courses. The University of Illinois is just one of the nine public universities in the state that offers online programs for its students. This distance learning campus serves as an example of how versatile distance learning options are for those seeking certifications and non-credit classes, as well as undergraduate and graduate level degrees, in the state. The average student enrolled in Illinois community colleges, according the Illinois Community College Board, is over 25 years old and studying part-time in preparation to transfer to a four-year university. This demographic suggests that distance education, which caters to non-traditional students with flexible scheduling needs, will continue to expand as part of the state's higher learning tradition.
Illinois has fought to maintain funding for higher learning. In 2011-12, when the U.S. saw an average decline of 7.5% in state appropriated funding for education, Illinois was actually able to increase their state-garnered funding by 10%. Over the course of the past 10 years, Illinois has seen the lowest increase in public enrollment at just 3% since 2004, although the price of tuition has changed no more than the national average of 18% in five years' time.
You can read more about earning a degree online in Illinois by exploring the schools linked below. There is information about nearly 150 colleges and universities at your fingertips, along with details of 228 scholarships that are all searchable by custom criteria and qualifiers like student GPA and enrollment year. Don't overlook the links to other vital resources in the state, such as those under the Higher Learning tab.
Featured Online Programs
136 Colleges in Illinois
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL · Tuition & fees: $6,460
Morthland College
West Frankfort, IL · Tuition & fees: $10,470
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- College Illinois: This state administered 529 college savings plan is available in two formats: prepaid tuition or 529 college savings plan. The prepaid enables participants to purchase future semesters of college at lower rates than what they are projected to be in the future. The traditional 529 allows participants to save money on a tax-deferred basis to help offset future college expenses.
- Bright Start: This 529 savings plan is administered by the Illinois State Treasurer in partnership with Oppenheimer Funds. Accounts are started with investments of as little as $25. There a variety of programs and options available based on individual needs and goals.
- Bright Directions: This independent 529 college savings plan allows contributions of up to $10,000 per Illinois taxpayer, and $20,000 for those filing joint returns. Funds from other 529 plans may be rolled into Bright Directions.
Education Nonprofits
- The Associated Colleges of Illinois: Since its inception in 1952, ACI has endeavored to support smaller private colleges throughout the state. The fund has raised and distributed in excess of $70 million to member institutions to assist in funding a variety of initiatives and scholarships.
- College & Career Readiness Institute: The purpose of the institute is to foster local innovations and initiatives with the intention of affecting remedial, developmental and academic reform.
- Alliance for College Readiness: Established in 1949 to aid the school districts located within Community College District 509, in order to prepare students for the college experience.
Higher Education News
- Southern Illinois University News: Produced by the College of Education and Human Services at Southern Illinois University, and reporting on higher education news specific to the state.
- Illinois State Board of Education News Center: The news release outlet for the Illinois State Board of Education.
- Chicago Sun Times Education News: A round-up of education news and opinions from the greater Chicago area, as well as the rest of the state.