Cheapest Online Colleges in Illinois [2025 Guide]
Online education in Illinois is growing rapidly, with 24% of students exclusively enrolled in distance courses and 28% taking some online courses. Over 12% of undergraduates and graduates are in fully online programs, with 45% residing in-state.
Find Your School in 5 Minutes or Less
Many schools have rolling admissions, which means you can start a program in a few weeks!
Illinois has 147 degree-granting institutions, including 57 public, 75 nonprofit, and 15 for-profit schools, making it the fourth-largest student enrollment state in the U.S. after California, Texas, and New York.
Tuition varies: in-state students at public four-year institutions pay an average of $11,260, at two-year schools $3,990, and out-of-state students $29,350.
In 2015, 24% of Illinois students were enrolled in at least one distance-learning course, and 12.5% were fully online. On-campus enrollment has decreased from 92.3% to 87.5% since 2012.
Financial aid is significant, with over $472 million in need-based grants and $828,147 in non-need-based grants. Additionally, the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) offers tuition breaks for out-of-state students, saving them between $500 and $5,000 annually.
Methodology
EDsmart rankings are based on data provided by NCES IPEDS reports via College Scorecard. All schools must provide four data points that EDsmart relies on to rank higher education institutions:
- Average Net Price
- Graduation Rate
- Retention Rate
- Median Earnings
Any school missing any one of the data points was not considered in our ranking. Only 4-year schools were considered for this ranking.
The rankings below are based solely on their average net prices.
EDsmart ranks colleges by Net Price, not just tuition, to show real costs. Net Price includes grants and scholarships, giving a more accurate picture of affordability.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Most Affordable Online Colleges in Illinois
1. Governors State University
Average Net Price: $9,833
Graduation Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 52%
Median Earnings: $58,169
Governors State University has an admission rate of 57.48%, making it moderately selective. The average cost of attendance for academic year institutions is $20,901. In-state students pay tuition and fees of $10,468, while out-of-state students pay $17,980. Students who complete their degrees have a median debt of $18,618.
2. University of Illinois Springfield
Average Net Price: $11,807
Graduation Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 71%
Median Earnings: $57,103
University of Illinois Springfield has a high admission rate of 82.03%. The average cost of attendance is $24,287 per academic year. In-state tuition and fees are $12,077, whereas out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,842. Graduates typically have a median debt of $19,128.
3. Lincoln Christian University
Average Net Price: $12,911
Graduation Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 32%
Median Earnings: $43,038
Lincoln Christian University has no available data for its admission rate. The average cost of attendance stands at $21,428. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition and fees amounting to $14,920. The median debt for graduates is $20,250.
4. Dominican University
Average Net Price: $17,768
Graduation Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 76%
Median Earnings: $60,327
Dominican University admits 89.53% of applicants, indicating a less selective process. The average cost of attendance is $43,574 per year. Tuition and fees are $36,500 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The median debt for students who complete their education is $24,411.
5. Lewis University
Average Net Price: $17,977
Graduation Rate: 71%
Retention Rate: 78%
Median Earnings: $66,099
Lewis University has an admission rate of 74.06%. The average cost of attendance is $44,513. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay $36,530 in tuition and fees. Graduates typically have a median debt of $21,500.
6. University of St Francis
Average Net Price: $18,409
Graduation Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 72%
Median Earnings: $63,926
University of St Francis has an admission rate of 58.42%. The average cost of attendance is $43,760. Tuition and fees for in-state and out-of-state students are both $36,000. The median debt for graduates is $21,079.
7. Aurora University
Average Net Price: $18,815
Graduation Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 75%
Median Earnings: $58,709
Aurora University admits 81.90% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $38,012. Tuition and fees for both in-state and out-of-state students are $27,420. Graduates have a median debt of $20,318.
8. Olivet Nazarene University
Average Net Price: $20,564
Graduation Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 77%
Median Earnings: $53,213
Olivet Nazarene University has an admission rate of 57.80%. The average cost of attendance is $49,685. Tuition and fees are $37,940 for both in-state and out-of-state students. The median debt for graduates is $25,000.
9. Moody Bible Institute
Average Net Price: $22,106
Graduation Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings: $45,399
Moody Bible Institute has a very high admission rate of 94.14%. The average cost of attendance is $31,963. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay $16,178 in tuition and fees. Graduates typically have a median debt of $18,149.
10. McKendree University
Average Net Price: $22,431
Graduation Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings: $58,572
McKendree University admits 68.35% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $46,576. In-state and out-of-state tuition and fees are $33,430. The median debt for graduates is $23,250.
11. DePaul University
Average Net Price: $29,430
Graduation Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 84%
Median Earnings: $68,751
DePaul University has an admission rate of 70.17%. The average cost of attendance is $57,824. Tuition and fees are $42,840 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Graduates have a median debt of $23,168.
12. Loyola University Chicago
Average Net Price: $35,555
Graduation Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 84%
Median Earnings: $71,530
Loyola University Chicago admits 79.15% of applicants. The average cost of attendance is $62,997. Tuition and fees for both in-state and out-of-state students are $49,498. The median debt for graduates is $24,157.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Insights and Analysis - The Cheapest Online Colleges in Illinois
The rankings of the most affordable online colleges in IL reveal significant variations in net prices, graduation rates, retention rates, and median earnings among the institutions. Here, we analyze key trends and provide comparisons to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each university.
Net Price Analysis:
- Lowest Net Price: Governors State University offers the lowest average net price at $9,833. This affordability, combined with a moderate graduation rate of 56%, suggests a strong value proposition for students seeking lower-cost education.
- Highest Net Price: Loyola University Chicago, with an average net price of $35,555, has the highest cost among the listed institutions. Despite the higher cost, it boasts impressive graduation and retention rates of 73% and 84%, respectively, indicating a solid return on investment.
- Comparison of Net Prices: The range of net prices indicates significant variability in the cost of education across these institutions. This variability allows students to choose institutions based on their financial capabilities and preferences.
Graduation and Retention Rates:
- Highest Graduation Rate: Lewis University leads with a graduation rate of 71%. This high rate, coupled with a retention rate of 78%, demonstrates the university's effectiveness in supporting students through to graduation.
- Lowest Graduation Rate: Lincoln Christian University has the lowest graduation rate at 48%. With a retention rate of only 32%, this suggests potential challenges in student engagement and support.
- Correlation with Net Prices: There is a general trend where institutions with higher net prices, such as Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University, tend to have higher graduation and retention rates. This correlation suggests that higher investment in education may be linked to better student outcomes.
Tuition and Fees:
- In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition: Universities like Governors State University and University of Illinois Springfield exhibit a noticeable difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition fees. For instance, Governors State University's in-state tuition is $10,468 compared to $17,980 for out-of-state students. This discrepancy highlights the financial benefits for local students.
- Uniform Tuition Rates: Several institutions, including Lincoln Christian University, Dominican University, and others, maintain uniform tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students. This uniformity simplifies financial planning for prospective students regardless of their residency status.
Median Earnings and Debt:
- Highest Median Earnings: Loyola University Chicago graduates achieve the highest median earnings at $71,530, closely followed by DePaul University at $68,751. These figures suggest that graduates from these institutions have a strong earning potential post-graduation.
- Lowest Median Debt: Moody Bible Institute graduates have the lowest median debt at $18,149, despite a higher net price. This indicates effective financial aid programs or manageable borrowing levels.
- Comparison of Median Earnings and Debt: Institutions with higher net prices, like DePaul University and Loyola University Chicago, also show higher median earnings, indicating a favorable ROI. Conversely, schools with lower net prices, such as Governors State University, also offer competitive median earnings, presenting a balanced financial outcome for students.
Standout Institutions:
- Governors State University: With the lowest net price and competitive median earnings, this institution offers an excellent balance of affordability and earning potential.
- Lewis University: The highest graduation rate, coupled with strong median earnings and moderate median debt, makes Lewis University a standout choice for students prioritizing educational outcomes and career prospects.
- Loyola University Chicago: Despite the highest net price, Loyola's strong graduation and retention rates, along with the highest median earnings, underscore its value in providing a high-quality education and successful career outcomes.
In conclusion, these rankings provide a comprehensive view of the financial and educational landscape across various universities. Students can use this analysis to make informed decisions based on their financial situations, educational goals, and career aspirations.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_317.20.asp
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_330.20.asp
https://www.nassgapsurvey.com/survey/state_data_check.asp
https://www.onlinelearningsurvey.com/reports/almanac/national_almanac2017.pdf