At a Glance: BestColleges' Top Affordable Online Illinois Colleges
#1: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — 93% of online students reenroll the following year.
#2: University of Illinois Springfield — Students have access to more than 130 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral online programs.
#3: University of Illinois Chicago — Some students pay as little as $330 per credit hour, depending on their program.
The most affordable online colleges in Illinois include public two- and four-year institutions, where residents often pay lower tuition than their out-of-state peers.
As of July 2025, data also shows steady job growth in most Illinois cities, suggesting a stable job market with opportunities for seasoned professionals and recent college grads.
We compared admission rates, net price, graduation rates, and more to create a holistic ranking of the best affordable colleges in Illinois. These programs may not be the cheapest in the state, but they offer high academic quality at a reasonable sticker price.
Start Your Online College Journey Today
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Affordable Online Colleges in Illinois
Why the Cheapest Online Illinois College Isn't Always the Most Affordable
Low tuition prices tend not to tell the full story of a school's affordability. Factors like financial aid, return on investment (ROI), and academic quality also play a big role.
For example, students who attend an institution with lower academic quality may graduate unprepared for what's next and, therefore, seek additional education to make up for what was missed. This can end up doubling costs in the long run.
Conversely, at schools with higher academic quality, you may have more upfront costs but will graduate in a better position, increasing your chances of landing higher-paying work and boosting your overall ROI.
At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — where both in-state and out-of-state tuition are higher than at some other schools on our list — 90% of 2023-2024 graduates secured employment or entry into the further education they were seeking within six months.
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Online Degree in Illinois
In BestColleges' 2025 Online Education Trends Report, students expressed their views on some of the most notable benefits of receiving an online education:
Positive ROI: 90% of online graduates say their online degree has or will have a positive return on investment.
Quality Instruction: 76% of students say online learning is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
Real-World Value: 74% of graduates report that their programs prepared them for real, work-related challenges.
Additionally, online students can take advantage of most — if not all — of the same resources and opportunities that their on-campus peers receive, like academic, career, and mental health services.
How Much Does Online College in Illinois Cost?
Whether you attend an Illinois program online or in person, you can expect to pay around $21,060 in tuition and fees before financial aid.
A BestColleges analysis of National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data found that out of over 100 institutions in the state, the majority charge the same in tuition and fees for online programming as they do for in-person instruction. This includes slightly higher prices for out-of-state students.
Estimated Average Tuition and Fees for Online Students in Illinois
Average In-District Tuition and Fees
$21,060
Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
$22,480
Source: BestColleges analysis of NCES IPEDS data*Rounded to the nearest $10
Some schools, however, charge a flat-rate fee for online programming, meaning you'll pay the lowest, in-district rate as an online student, regardless of where you reside.
After financial aid offerings, online students can expect to pay an average of $15,240 in total costs.
Find Financial Aid for Your Illinois College
What Is the ROI of an Online Degree From an Illinois College?
The return on investment of earning an online degree in Illinois is varied. The average total cost, for 2022-2023, of an online degree in the state was roughly $15,000 after financial aid, which is higher than the national average of roughly $10,000-$11,000 annually.
Additionally, recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) shows that the average starting salary for bachelor's graduates in the Greater Lakes region of the U.S. is about $60,550. That's over $3,000 less than the overall national average.
But, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total employment is up in at least seven of the state's 14 major metropolitan areas as of July 2025. That's notable, as employment was down throughout much of the nation at this time.
Scholarships for Online Colleges in Illinois
Community Services Block Grants Scholarship for Chicago Residents
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Eligibility: Chicago residents maintaining satisfactory academic progress
Jo Ann Serpico Scholarship
Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligibility: The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans awards scholarships to degree-seekers with at least 50% Italian heritage. Other requirements include community service and leadership experience.
Gordon Paesani Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Eligibility: ITS Midwest awards scholarships to college students preparing for a career in intelligent transportation systems. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio degree-seekers may apply.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program
ISAC awards MAP funding to Illinois residents maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Award amounts vary.
Independent Accountants Association of Illinois Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Illinois residents with a B average in all accounting classes are eligible. Other requirements include transcripts and one recommendation letter from a professor.
How to Save Money on Your Online Degree in Illinois
Here are some ways you can save on college costs in Illinois.
1. Apply for Financial Aid
As an online student, you have access to many of the same financial aid options to fund your education as students who attend in person. This includes:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines students' eligibility for scholarships, federal grants, federal work-study, and federal loans to fund their college experience
Student loans, which are financial awards that need to be repaid, typically with interest
Online student scholarships, which are online-specific aid offerings for online learners
2. Start at an Illinois Community College
Despite long-held stigmas about community colleges, they can be a great way to kick-start your educational journey. Not only are they a cheaper option, but many also offer seamless transfers to four-year institutions.
Through iTransfer and the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), students in Illinois will have clear communication about their transfer pathway to ensure they can make the jump from a community college to participating four-year schools.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
You can sometimes get credit for prior learning from professional training, work, and life experience. This can be work you've done in the military or through your career in the professional world. Nonmilitary professional experience can transfer to college credit if you take the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
By taking the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), you can test out of introductory courses, allowing you to earn your degree faster and save money on tuition, books, and fees.
4. Attend a 'Free' Tuition School in Illinois
There are at least seven free tuition schools in Illinois, where students who meet certain qualifications, like income thresholds and residency standards, will not be charged tuition and fees. If you can't attend one of those, attend an affordable school that doesn't sacrifice quality academics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Illinois Colleges
One of the least expensive colleges in Illinois is Elgin Community College. But, that's only for in-district degree-seekers who pay some of the lowest tuition and fee rates in the state. Current in-district students pay just $138 per credit, while other in-state and out-of-state learners spend significantly more.
