10 Online Colleges With Flexible Schedules in Illinois 2025

Flexible college courses can be the best option for busy adults balancing a career and other obligations. The ability to attend class and complete assignments on your own time can make it possible to complete a degree. The following provides an outline of the ten best flexible online colleges available in Illinois.

Whether you're just starting your bachelor's degree or looking to finish one, being able to earn your degree on your own time is a must for many busy students. Since many higher education institutions realize how valuable your time is, more colleges than offer are beginning to offer online bachelor's degrees, along with online master's and associate degrees.

Earning a degree from an accredited flexible online college ensures that you can fit studying into your schedule, allowing you to work, travel, or take care of your family while earning your degree.

Flexible Online Colleges in Illinois

Since flexible learning is a common desire for college students, we've listed the best online colleges that let you work at your own pace, whether through online classes, part-time enrollment, or by transferring professional credits. All of the accredited online colleges in Illinois listed below are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

1. University of Illinois-Springfield

The University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS), an online college with weekly start dates, is one of the most flexible online colleges in Illinois. It offers more than 12 online bachelor's degree programs, many in technical fields, such as computer science and information systems security.

If you also want to earn your degree affordably, Illinois residents pay $321.50 per credit hour, with full-time students paying around $2,000 in fees every semester. However, UIS ensures that 90% of students receive financial aid to help lower these costs.

2. University of Illinois-Chicago

Students at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) can choose from three fully online degrees that cost around $12,000 in tuition per year:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in health information management
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

These degrees are flexible since they allow students to work at their own pace with asynchronous classes. Asynchronous means that there is no set time you have to watch a class lecture�you have a list of assignments that you can complete before the due date.

3. Eastern Illinois University

Working students who enroll at Eastern Illinois University (EIU), one of the best online colleges in Illinois, have 12 degree programs to choose from, such as the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in health practices, emergency management, or applied engineering programs. Online classes cost $427 per credit hour, and the school offers academic scholarships of $1,000 to employees of their partner organizations, which include businesses and healthcare employers in the area.

4. Illinois College

A business-oriented, accredited college, Illinois College offers the following undergraduate programs:

• accounting
• agribusiness management
• behavioral health
• business administrations
• healthcare management
• human resource management
• management
• marketing
• organizational and strategic communication

Its generous transfer credit policy, asynchronous coursework, and the ability to study full- or part-time give online students the flexibility they need to earn a degree on their terms. Designed for career-oriented adults seeking advancement, IC's credit hour costs are below $400.

5. DePaul University

DePaul University offers degree-completion programs, bachelor's and master's degrees, and certificates online. Online classes at DePaul have rolling admissions, allowing students to begin coursework during whichever month works for them. This flexible online college offers the broadest range of undergraduate degrees, including degrees in psychology, management, computing, and information technology.

The lowest cost per credit hour for continuing education students is $520, but full-time undergraduates usually pay $796 to $1,057 per credit hour. However, DePaul awards nearly $58 million in scholarships and financial aid is annually, which will significantly lower the cost of attendance.

6. University of Urbana-Champaign

The University of Urbana-Champaign (UUC) has more than 2,000 classes available online, making it an optimal choice for busy students. An added benefit of attending UUC is that this college has library specialists who help online students with their research and provide specific assistance to remote students.

To encourage motivated learners to enroll, high school students can take advanced online classes that count both toward a high school diploma and college degree. UUC is a more affordable option since tuition costs per credit hour start at $424 for undergraduate programs.

7. Rockford University

Rockford University boasts that its three online bachelor's degree programs, which are in accounting, management, and human services, provide students with flexibility, collaboration, affordability, and convenience. With a generous transfer credit policy and multiple start dates each semester, students can finish their degree in less than two years.

What sets Rockford apart is that it accepts work experience for college credit. Six Sigma, SHRM, and company-sponsored leadership training can all count toward a degree as long as it is documented work training. Professional students will pay $485 per credit hour for these online degrees, but financial aid is available as well.

8. Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University, known for its Division I NCAA sports teams, matches the flexibility of online degree programs with a dedicated student support team that helps remote students. Students choose from nine bachelor's degree completion programs with tuition that is less than $400 per credit hour, regardless of residency. Bachelor's degree opportunities include:

• applied management: equity leadership and mentoring
• applied management: instructional technology, training and evaluation
• engineering technology: applied manufacturing technology
• general studies
• health sciences
• medical laboratory sciences
• nursing (RN to BSN)
• political science
• public services leadership

9. Lewis University

Lewis University, located near Chicago, offers five accelerated online bachelor's degrees for students with previous college credit in addition to two regular-pace online bachelor's degrees. Students complete these degrees asynchronously, with weekly due dates for assignments.

Adult students who enroll in the accelerated programs receive a $300 tuition discount, making the per credit cost $600. Financial aid is always available, along with further discounts for employees of local Catholic schools.

10. Roosevelt University

With two campuses in Illinois, Roosevelt University offers flexible learning online for health science administration, interdisciplinary studies, organization leadership, and psychology degree programs for students who don't want to study on campus. Courses are organized in one-week modules that require interaction through an online class platform and Zoom meetings.

Students who already have previous college credit or are enrolling in their first college degree program can expect tuition to be $23,100 per semester if they are enrolled full-time. Part-time tuition rates vary per credit.

Our Selection Criteria

Schools on this list are established institutions that cater to students who need flexibility and which practice transparency in tuition rates, scholarship opportunities, and student success profiles. In addition, we examined:

• Accreditation: We ensured that each school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to ensure that degrees will be respected and academically rigorous.
• Degree-conferring: More than certificate programs, the flexible online colleges on this list provide opportunities that can result in bachelor's degrees.
• Online colleges with flexible schedules: Adults' busy lives demand options like asynchronous learning, rolling admission, and support for students.

Online Courses and Asynchronous Learning for Online Programs

Since nontraditional students are busy, understanding how different types of online courses work is beneficial before enrolling in a degree program. Online courses are formatted in several ways: synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid.

Synchronous learning requires that you attend a live video lecture and participate, while asynchronous classes have you watch pre-recorded lectures and perform other class requirements independently. Hybrid courses are a mix of both. No matter the format of the class, students will need to complete weekly readings, discussion posts, quizzes, tests, and other interactive activities to show evidence of learning.

How To Find Online Colleges With Flexible Schedules in Illinois

To find an online college that has a flexible schedule in Illinois, you first want to find colleges that offer the online degree you're interested in. Some colleges offer many online degrees, while others just offer degree-completion programs in a few subject areas that require you to already have an associate degree from a community college or equivalent transfer credits.

Many colleges will have you take an online assessment quiz to see if online learning is right for you and which type of online courses you'll be best at. The most flexible type of learning would be self-paced then asynchronous. Most websites will let you know how the online courses are structured, so look for those key terms.

Finding a flexible online college that accepts the FAFSA is also important. This way you can use federal grants and loans along with other scholarships to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

FAQs About Enrollment and Costs at Online Colleges With Flexibility

To ensure you are informed about finding a flexible online program, we've answered some frequently asked questions about tuition and enrollment below.

What Flexible Online Colleges Are Available in Illinois for Working Adults?

Many of Illinois' universities offer flexible online degree programs for working adults. Of the colleges listed above, Illinois College, DePaul University, and Rockford University have programs that specifically cater to students with careers.

How Does an Online Course Work?

Online classes are structured differently than on-campus courses. They can take different forms: some are synchronous, basically live broadcasts of a class, while others are asynchronous recordings that can be accessed anytime. Hybrid classes are a mix of both. Y

ou'll use a learning management system (LMS), such as Canvas or Blackboard, where you can access and turn in your assignments, watch lectures, and take tests. Each item will have a due time when you need to complete the assignment or join a live video through Zoom. Professors can communicate with you through the LMS or through email, so it's good to have a strong internet connection if you want to earn an online degree.

How Much Does Online College Cost in Illinois?

Online courses are usually less expensive than in-person learning, but costs per credit hour vary. The cheapest online colleges are under $500 per credit hour, and the most expensive can be $800 per credit. Overall, U.S. News & World Report claims that an online degree will cost around $40,000 total.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degree Programs

If you want to earn an online bachelor's degree, use our resources on Learn.org to find out more about programs available in Illinois. When you find some that interest you, reach out to the college or university for more information.