10 Most Affordable Online Colleges in Illinois 2025

Affordable online colleges are a great way for busy students to finish their higher education. These online schools can help students who are short on time or money to still receive a quality education.

While tuition in Illinois is above the national average, there are still many cheap colleges in Illinois as well as some excellent financial aid options. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online colleges in Illinois

List of the Cheapest & Most Affordable Online Colleges in Illinois

Many of the top online colleges in Illinois are more affordable than you think. The state is home to several inexpensive colleges, many of which offer comprehensive financial aid packages. Below, we've highlighted the most affordable online colleges in Illinois.

1. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public research institution in Carbondale, AZ. It offers various bachelor's degrees, as well as several master's and doctoral programs, online.

These degrees are available in fields such as business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, and social sciences. Tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students in online bachelor's degree programs is $321.50 per credit hour.

2. Western Illinois University

At Western Illinois University, students can earn online bachelor's or master's degrees. Areas of study include business, communication, education, and sociology.

WIU, located in Macomb, IL, is a public university. Tuition for the bachelor's degrees is $336.50 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students. Illinois residents with at least a 3.0 GPA and an annual household income under $81,000 may qualify to have their full tuition costs covered under the university's Western Way Scholarship.

3. Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University offers undergraduate and graduate programs online. EIU is a public institution in Charleston, IL.

These online education programs are available in fields such as business administration, communication, healthcare, and psychology. The tuition cost for bachelor's degrees is $338.35 per credit. Like WIU, it offers a last-dollar scholarship to eligible students, called the EIU Promise.

4. Governor's State University

Online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees are available through Governor's State University. Areas of study include business, education, and healthcare.

GSU is a public school located just south of Chicago in University Park, IL. It charges a tuition rate of $343 per credit hour for bachelor's degree programs regardless of the student's state of residence.

5. University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield is a public university in Springfield, IL. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs online in fields such as business, computer science, education, and environmental science.

The tuition rate for online students in undergraduate programs is $367.50 per credit hour. This rate applies to both in-state and out-of-state students.

6. Columbia College

Students at Columbia College can earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online. Areas of study for these programs include business, computer science, criminal justice, and social sciences.

This private school is based in Columbia, MO, but has several campuses throughout the U.S., including Elgin and Freeport, IL. Undergraduate tuition is $375 per credit hour.

7. Illinois College

Illinois College offers bachelor's and master's degrees online. The college is a private Christian liberal arts school in Jacksonville, IL.

Some subjects for online study include agribusiness management, behavioral health, business, and nursing. Tuition for undergraduate programs is $375 per credit hour.

8. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Undergraduate and graduate programs are available online through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Areas of study include education, computer science, environmental science, and social work.

UIUC, located in Champaign, IL, is the flagship campus of the public University of Illinois system. The tuition rate varies by program but starts at $424 per credit hour for bachelor's degrees. Through the Illinois Commitment, eligible students may qualify to have their full tuition costs covered.

9. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields like business, criminal justice, and healthcare. It is the Edwardsville campus of the public SIU system.

All online students pay the in-state tuition rate, which is $430.75 for most undergraduate programs. Illinois students may be eligible for the school's last-dollar scholarship, the SIUE Commitment.

10. Northern Illinois University

Through Northern Illinois University, students can find online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Subjects include healthcare, management, political science, and technology.

NIU, a public university, is based in DeKalb, IL. Online learners pay a tuition rate starting at $466.80 per credit hour and may qualify to have their full tuition covered through the school's AIM HIGH Husky Pledge.

Our Selection Criteria

Our methodology for choosing the affordable online and distance learning programs above was simple. We started by focusing on:

• Location: All schools listed above are located within Illinois state.
• Accreditation: Every school is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
• Type: We focused specifically on four-year public and nonprofit schools with online learning programs.

Once we had this list, we sorted it by the least expensive online colleges as well as those that offer last-dollar scholarships.

How Much Do Online Colleges in Illinois Cost?

Online colleges in Illinois range from $321.50 per credit hour for undergraduate programs to over $800 per credit hour. However, the final cost of your college degree will depend on many things, including the financial aid you qualify for.

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the U.S. Department of Education to help them pay for their online courses.

How Can I Make an Online Degree Affordable?

Finding affordable online degrees in Illinois is important for most area students — and so is locating additional ways to reduce the cost of tuition.

If you're looking for extra ways to make an online degree affordable, consider applying for scholarships, which could reduce your costs or possibly even cover your tuition completely.

You could also look into federal grants like Pell or FSEOG via the FAFSA form and the Federal Work-Study Program. Student loans are also available but require repayment.

If you are an active military member or veteran, you could take advantage of the GI Bill or look into military grants and tuition reduction programs offered by your school.

Some companies also offer tuition reimbursement programs to help their workers cover a portion or all of the cost of tuition.

Learn more on how to make an online degree more affordable below:

• accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA
• accredited online colleges that accept grants
• accredited online colleges that accept transfer credits
• accredited online colleges with the most scholarships
• scholarships for online students
• accredited online colleges with payment plans
• accredited online colleges with no application fee

FAQs About the Cheapest Online Colleges in Illinois

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the best affordable online colleges in Illinois.

What Is the Cheapest Online College in Illinois?

The least expensive online college in Illinois is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. The tuition rate here is $321.50 for online bachelor's degrees and $469.50 for online master's degrees.

Are Online Programs Worth It in Illinois?

For many Illinois students, online programs are worth it. Many provide the same high-quality education as on-campus programs but allow students to complete their coursework on their own schedule.

What Is the Easiest Online College To Get into in Illinois?

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the easiest online college to get into in Illinois is Governors State University, which has an open admissions policy. This means that so long as you meet the minimum requirements, which is typically a high school diploma or equivalent, you'll be accepted.

Can You Go to College for Free in Illinois?

It is possible to go to college for free in Illinois if you qualify for financial aid. Many of the public universities in Illinois offer last-dollar scholarship programs, which cover any remaining tuition costs for qualifying students.

Find Affordable Online Degree Programs

Find affordable higher education opportunities by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for more information on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid options.