10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Illinois 2025

Earning a master's degree can provide more job opportunities and help you reach your career goals. Many students prefer to earn their master's degrees online as this allows them to continue working or caring for family while learning.

While master's degrees can be expensive, there are several cheap online master's degree programs available in the U.S. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online master's degrees in Illinois.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Illinois

Illinois is considered one of the more expensive states for college, but it's home to several accredited online schools that offer highly affordable degree programs. Below, we've highlighted the top cheap online master's degrees in Illinois.

1. Olivet Nazarene University

Olivet Nazarene University is a private Christian school in Bourbonnais, IL. It offers online master's degrees in four fields: business administration, education, nursing, and theology and Christian ministry.

The business administration, education, and nursing degrees are all $12,000 total or roughly $333 per credit. Many offer 12-, 18-, and 24-month tracks. The theology and ministry degrees are $450 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $391.50
• Financial aid: It accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation:Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Eastern Illinois University

At Eastern Illinois University, students can choose from over a dozen online master's degrees. Areas of study include biological sciences, cybersecurity, English, and special education.

This public university is located in Charleston, IL. It charges $344.25 per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students in online learning programs.

• Average cost per credit hour: $344.25
• Financial aid: This university accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation:HLC

3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers nearly 50 online master's degree programs. UIUC is a private research institution in Champaign, IL.

Tuition varies by program. Some of the least expensive programs at UIUC include:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): $363 per credit
• Master of Science (MS) in management: $363 per credit
• Master of Education (MEd): $520 per credit
• Master of Social Work (MSW): $598 per credit

Other fields available online at UIUC include animal sciences ($755 per credit), engineering ($1,160 per credit), computer science ($620 per credit), and library and information science ($680 per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $763.84
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Illinois Springfield

Multiple online degrees are available at the University of Illinois Springfield. Areas of study include data analytics, environmental sciences, human services, and public health.

UIS, located in Springfield, IL, is a public university. It charges $365.75 per credit for most of its online graduate degrees; however, a few degrees have a slightly higher tuition rate, such as the MBA ($424.75 per credit), the master's in computer science ($407 per credit), and the master's in healthcare informatics ($424.75 per credit)

• Average cost per credit hour: $365.75
• Financial aid: The university accepts FAFSA and other private aid. It offers institutional aid programs as well.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois Chicago is a public research institution in Chicago. It offers a Master of Public Administration for just $407 per credit hour.

Other programs at the school are more expensive, but still relatively affordable. These include a Master of Public Health (MPH) at $730 per credit and an MS in healthcare informatics at $750 per credit.

• Average cost per credit hour: $747.13
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Governors State University

Students at Governors State University can choose between two online master's degrees: a Master of Health Science (MHS) in addiction studies and an MBA with an optional specialization in supply chain management.

This public university is located in University Park, IL. It charges $413 per credit hour for the MHS and $466 for the MBA.

• Average cost per credit hour: $439.50
• Financial aid: It accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Illinois State University

Illinois State University offers several online degrees through its Graduate School. ISU is a public research university in Normal, IL.

Online graduate programs are available in fields such as elementary education, marketing, nursing, and public health. Tuition for most programs is $422.57 per credit for residents of Illinois and its bordering states and $877.72 per credit for residents of other states.

• Average cost per credit hour: $422.57
• Financial aid: This college accepts FAFSA and private aid. It also offers institutional aid programs.
• Accreditation: HLC

8. McKendree University

Half a dozen online master's programs are available at McKendree University. Tuition varies by program, with some of the most affordable being:

• Master of Arts (MA) in education: $445 per credit
• Master of Arts in teaching: $445 per credit
• Master of Science in nursing (MSN): $495 per credit
• Master of Health Administration (MHA): $525 per credit

This private nonprofit college is located in Lebanon, IL. Other degree options include an online MBA ($555 per credit) and an MA in performance psychology and leadership ($525 per credit).

• Average cost per credit hour: $498.33
• Financial aid: The school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University is a public research institution in Carbondale, IL. It offers online master's degrees in fields like electrical and computer engineering, healthcare administration, public health, and social work.

The standard graduate tuition at SIU is $469.50 per credit hour, but some select programs cost more. For example, the MBA and Master of Public Administration (MPA) are $540 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $504.75
• Financial aid: This university accepts FAFSA and private financial aid, and it also offers institutional aid programs.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, students can choose from several online graduate degrees. Areas of study include criminal justice policy, educational administration, management information systems, and public health.

SIUE is a public university located in Edwardsville, IL. Most online master's degrees cost $371.30 per credit hour ?except the MBA, which is $538.55 per credit hour.

• Average cost per credit hour: $371.30
• Financial aid: This school accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid programs, and it accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable online master's programs listed above, our methodology focused on:

• Location: All schools listed above are located in Illinois.
• Accreditation: We only included regionally accredited colleges and universities on this list.
• School type: Every school is either a public or private nonprofit.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which schools in Illinois meet the above criteria and offer online master's degrees, we looked at which had the lowest tuition rates.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Illinois

Online education is a convenient way for graduate students to earn their master's degrees. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about these programs in Illinois.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Illinois?

The cost of an online master's degree in Illinois primarily depends on two things: the school you choose and your major. In general, public schools are less expensive than private schools, which can range in price. For example, Olivet Nazarene University has some of the least expensive online master's programs, while Northwestern University charges over $1,000 per credit for its online master's degrees.

Degrees in education and teaching are often on the more affordable side. However, some of the highest-paying master's degrees, like MBAs, have some of the highest tuition rates for in-person and online students.

Other things that can affect your tuition costs include how many credits you need to complete your program, whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student, and what financial aid you qualify for.

Is There Financial Aid for Online Master's Programs in Illinois?

Financial aid options are available to master's degree students in Illinois. All students should fill out the FAFSA, as this will determine their eligibility for federal and state aid programs.

Sometimes, these types of programs don't cover graduate degrees. Many schools offer scholarships and assistantships to help master's degree students pay for their higher education. Private scholarship programs can also help you cover your costs.

Are Online Master's Degrees Cheaper Than In-Person Programs?

Many schools charge a lower rate for online courses. This is especially true for out-of-state students, who sometimes can pay the in-state rate if they study online.

However, online programs aren't always cheaper than in-person programs. If cost is a significant factor when choosing your school, check tuition rates for on-campus and online programs.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

Typically, master's degrees take between one and three years to complete, with two years being about average. However, several things can affect how long your program takes, including what degree you're earning and whether you're studying full-time or part-time.

Some schools allow students to start taking graduate coursework while still in their bachelor's degree program. These students then have fewer credits to complete when they enter their master's program and can finish more quickly.

Find an Online Master's Degree

Find the perfect affordable online master's degree by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.