Best Online Colleges in Illinois

The University of Illinois at Springfield is home to 4,956 students, more than half of them undergraduates. Offering 1,681 online majors, UIS has been ranked among the Midwest's top 15 public regional universities for the past 11 years by U.S. News & World Report. Not to mention, UIS receives $7 million annually in funding for research. Although the most popular undergraduate majors are accountancy, computer science, business administration, psychology, biology and criminal justice, students can choose online undergraduate degrees from 13 fields. Master's students are afforded the same luxury, with another 13 online degrees offered at the graduate level. For students seeking flexible, online certificates for their careers, UIS has a 10 certification/licensure programs as well as 15 graduate certificates. Though the list of online majors is immense, prospective UIS students need not to worry about getting lost among their fellow students; UIS keeps their classes small, averaging a student-to-professor ratio of 15:1.

Greenville University, formerly Greenville College, was founded by the Free Methodist Church in 1892 and offers a transformative Christ-centered education for its 1,200 students. Students needing a more flexible schedule can rest easy because more than 50 of Greenville University's undergraduate and graduate programs offer courses online. Wholly online degree programs include studies in business management, criminal justice administration, health psychology, organizational leadership and education. The Donald N. and Kathleen G. Bastian School of Theology, Philosophy, and Ministry focuses its programs on strong pastoral training. Approximately 96 percent of Greenville students receive financial aid through merit scholarships, awards, grants, low-interest student loans and work-study programs. For incoming students with a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 who are hoping to fast-track their education, the university also offers a three-year degree program that speeds up the time to graduate.

Located 40 miles from Chicago, Aurora University serves 5,600 degree-bound students through its onsite campuses in Illinois and Wisconsin and online. AU hosts 40 undergraduate majors in business, arts, science, education, criminal justice, social work and nursing. Students can also earn graduate degrees, endorsements and certificates in the same academic fields of study. AU Online offers distance students eight bachelor-degree programs, five master's degrees and an online professional endorsement in Bilingual/ESL education. Popular online majors are in emerging fields such as cybersecurity, homeland security and non-profit leadership studies. Those already working in their field can take advantage of AU's online courses as well, like nurses, who can pursue an online RM-to-BSN degree to advance in their healthcare profession. Online AU students can also take pride in knowing they are learning from some of the best, with over 85 percent of the online faculty having obtained the highest degree in their major fields.

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is the premier down-state Illinois university, serving 14,000 full-time students. In 2017, it graduated 292 students in agricultural sciences, 893 in the applied arts and sciences, 381 students in business, 938 in education and human services, 457 in engineering and 765 in the liberal arts. SIU offers online degree and certificate programs though the Extended Campus, and students can choose from 13 bachelor's degrees and 10 master's programs. There is also an online degree-completion program for students who previously completed coursework but haven't satisfied the total requirements for graduation. Online students have the opportunity to complete the university's core curriculum, taking required courses in foundation, disciplinary and integrative studies. Popular online bachelor's majors include accounting, business administration, electrical engineering, journalism and public safety management.

National Louis University was founded over 130 years ago with the goal of providing Illinois students with a progressive education that today offers more than 60 college degree programs through its two colleges. NLU's National College of Education has been regarded as a “teacher of teachers” because the college was the first in Illinois to offer a four-year teaching degree. Currently, NLU enrolls 8,000 students at six locations in Florida and Illinois, at its global business school located in Nowy Sacz, Poland, and online. Off-campus undergraduate and graduate students can complete online bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs through NLU's College of Professional Studies and Advancement and through the National College of Education. The School of Business and Management provides online MBA programs as well as a blended business management program that combines web learning with campus sessions at campuses in Illinois and Florida.

Founded in Lincoln in 1944 as a Bible institute, Lincoln Christian University's motto claims, “Our students come to LCU for a major. They leave on a Mission.” During the 2016-2017 school year, 325 undergraduate students performed over 10,300 hours of ministry-based service learning. Lincoln's students have also received more than $10 million in financial aid to pursue their academic and spiritual calling. And, class sizes are kept low, with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students unable to take classes onsite can take advantage of the seven online degree programs, ranging from the associate to the master's level. Students can also opt for taking two-thirds of all coursework online and completing their semesters at week-long intensives in Lincoln. Online students can complete online courses leading to an Associates in the Bible, a Bachelor's in Business Administration, in Christian Ministry and in Psychology, and a Master's in Bible and Theology, in Intercultural Studies and in Organizational Leadership.

Located 140 miles south of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the flagship of the University of Illinois system and aims to be the leading public research institution. Founded in 1867 as one of the original land-grant institutions, this educational powerhouse has graduated winners of 28 Pulitzer Prizes, invented the first graphical web browser, and is currently ranked 14th in the nation among public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The accolades don't stop there; U.S. News & World Report has also ranked UI's College of Education in the top 10 best online graduate education programs. An internet pioneer, the university has now developed an immense system of online classes and degrees, allowing students from outside the Urbana-Champaign campus to receive the same high-caliber education from the faculty who teach on campus. There are more than 75 online degree, endorsement and certificate programs at UI, over 800 online courses, and over 2.7 million learners taking UI's Massive Open Online Courses.

North Park University, located on the north side of Chicago, was founded by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1891 with the purpose of continuing the educational tradition of the liberal arts under Christian faith. Today, NPU enrolls 3,000 undergraduates, and some 88 percent of its students have either committed to graduate school or found a job waiting for them upon completion of their undergraduate degrees. Class sizes are kept small, with an average 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing students to receive a more personalized education. Its most popular undergraduate majors are nursing, biology, business/economics, and exercise science. Classes in NPU's online undergraduate and graduate degree programs begin every seven weeks, so students don't have to wait long if they missed enrollment dates. Online degrees offered through the School of Professional Studies include majors in business administration, digital marketing, location intelligence, nonprofit management, and organizational management and leadership. Majors in online graduate studies are offered in business administration, higher education administration, human resource management, nonprofit administration and organizational leadership.

The history of the Moody Bible Institute goes back to 1870 when Bible teachers supporting the victims of the Chicago Fire saw the need for a permanent institution. In 1901, members established the Moody Correspondence School for students who could not visit a campus, offering distance learning classes in Bible Doctrine and Practical Christian Work. Today, Moody Distance Learning offers courses that lead to a Certificate, Associate or Bachelor of Science degree; master's degree or graduate certificate; and continuing education post-graduate certification. Distance students can select from three formats: online studies, independent study or first-year online coursework. Online undergraduate programs lead to the Associate of Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Science in Ministry Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Theological Studies, Bachelor of Science in Theology and Cultural Engagement, Certificate of Biblical Studies and Certificate of Biblical Leadership. There are no academic admission requirements for students applying for certificates in continuing education.

Western Illinois University has been recognized by The Princeton Review as a best Midwestern college. It serves 10,000 students at campuses in Macomb and Moline, offering bachelor's and master's degree programs, two doctoral degrees and certificates. Full-time faculty teach more than 96 percent of all studies, and the university promotes small class sizes with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Each fall, WIU adds new class offerings for students pursuing online degrees and certificates. Online undergrads can earn an Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Bachelor of Business in Economics, Bachelor of Arts in General Studies, Bachelor of Business in Management, Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Services and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). Online graduate students can pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Education – Elementary Education or a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology. Firefighters can also complete 13 upper division courses in the National Fire Academy's (NFA) curriculum.