Best Accounting Degrees Online in Illinois 2025

Aspiring accounting professionals must complete higher education to prepare for advanced industry-specific exams, like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA exam). Although these exams require accounting students to complete college credit hours, there is no specification that they need to be on campus. Learners in Illinois can enroll in the best online accounting degrees from higher education facilities in-state and nationwide.

Many of the top online accounting bachelor's degrees are primarily offered as Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees with general or focused accounting courses, including cost accounting, managerial accounting, and financial accounting. Illinois residents looking to join the accounting field can use online coursework to get closer to their career goals.

Best Online Accounting Degree Programs in Illinois

Earning a college degree is an investment, but students can earn affordable accounting degrees online to reduce the upfront costs without sacrificing post-graduation benefits. These online schools are accredited by regional and national organizations, as well as more specialized bodies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

1. Western Illinois University

Learners can enroll in the fully online Bachelor of Business in Accountancy with either a management accounting or taxation specialization. Both programs teach real-world skills needed to work in accounting firms and prepare for the CPA exam.

WIU also offers online undergraduates the opportunity to continue their education with an accelerated online master's degree. Online students can participate in regional and national internship opportunities thanks to WIU's expansive alumni network.

2. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University offers bachelor's and associate degrees in accounting at campuses in seven locations, including four in Illinois and an online campus.

Accounting majors can participate in accelerated online courses that teach skills like bookkeeping, payroll, and more in as few as 18 months. Rasmussen also has accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) options for students looking for graduate opportunities.

3. Illinois College

Illinois College offers an online BS in Accounting with opportunities to double major in fields such as management, marketing, or organizational and strategic communication. Coursework for this major can be completed in as few as 15 months through asynchronous, eight-week classes.

Students will prepare for various career opportunities through subjects like financial accounting, auditing, and business ethics.

4. Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University has a fully online AACSB-accredited BS in accounting. This undergraduate degree program can lead directly to an online Master of Accountancy graduate program.

Courses are organized in eight-week modules that can be completed in 18 to 24 months, but students can choose between full-time and part-time schedules to fit around other commitments.

5. McKendree University

Online learners can complete a BBA with an accounting specialization from McKendree University. This degree can prepare aspiring accountants for graduate school or CPA exams. Graduates of this program will be prepared for careers in personal finance, nonprofits, corporate accounting, and more.

Top Online Accounting Programs in Other States

Thanks to the increase in the availability of online bachelor's degrees in accounting, aspiring accountants in Illinois aren't limited to in-state programs. Online accounting schools in other states offer additional degree specializations.

1. Western Governors University

The online BS in accounting from Western Governors University can lead directly to a Master of Accountancy and the CPA exam. Learners at WGU can complete certificate programs alongside their major coursework in topics like accounting, strategic thinking and innovation, and leadership.

This degree is highly flexible as students pay for six-month semesters instead of credit hour rates. In that period, students can take as many courses as they want, which can drastically speed up their graduation day.

2. Arizona State University

The BS in accountancy from Arizona State University is near the top of independent rankings from publications like U.S. News & World Report. This AACSB-accredited program prepares students for advanced opportunities including the CPA exam and an online Master of Accountancy and data analytics.

3. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota's online BS in accounting can be completed through the Crookston campus. In addition to the CPA exam, students can prepare for Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designations. Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in positions in financial management, forensic accounting, cost management, and more.

4. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University has two online accounting degree options, a BS in accounting and a BS in accounting and finance. Learners in both degree programs will take classes in valuable accounting-related skills, while the accounting and finance degree includes more of a focus on organizational finance.

Both programs include 40 total classes, which are completed through self-paced eight-week courses.

5. University of Maryland Global Campus

The Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Maryland Global Campus can lead to the CPA, CIA, and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exams. Learners will develop skills in tax law, accounting information systems, and financial accounting.

This program qualifies for the UMGC accelerated pathway, which can lead to accounting and financial management, cyber accounting, or management with an accounting specialization master's degree programs.

Our Selection Criteria

There are many online accounting programs, and we focused on three main criteria to select these programs as the best options for aspiring accountants in Illinois.

• Accreditation: Online degrees with accreditation can lead to graduate programs and advanced certifications. We prioritized AACSB and ACBSP-accredited programs.
• Flexibility: We chose programs that allow learners to tailor their education around other responsibilities. These flexible programs also allow students to speed up their learning as they see fit.
• Opportunity for Advancement: In addition to accreditation, we chose programs that can lead directly to graduate degrees and industry-standard exams, like the CPA. Although graduate degrees and advanced exams aren't required for every position, having the opportunity to earn higher credentials is a benefit for many accounting majors.

What To Expect from Online Accounting Programs

Each online accounting degree program will vary slightly, but there are many common experiences that students should expect. Most online programs are offered in asynchronous formats, meaning coursework is completed without scheduled classes.

Accounting is also a math-heavy degree program, so students should expect to do advanced algebra. Finally, accounting majors often learn about other business units to help better understand the role of accountants in larger organizations. Plan on some general business courses as well as related classes in finance and management.

Admissions Requirements for Online Accounting Programs

Most online accounting programs require a minimum high school GPA, standardized test scores (i.e., ACT or SAT), and application materials such as letters of recommendation and entrance essays. Some schools don't require standardized tests and the required GPA will vary from school to school.

How Much Does an Online Accounting Degree Program Cost?

According to U.S. News and World Report, the average cost of an online accounting degree is around $36,000. The total costs of a degree will vary primarily based on a school's cost-per-credit-hour and the amount of transfer credits that you plan to use.

How Can You Pay for an Online Accounting Degree?

There are several ways to pay for online accounting degrees that don't include student loan debt. Look for online colleges that accept FAFSA.

These schools will apply funds from financial aid programs like grants, scholarships, and, sometimes, work-study programs. These federal free money programs can help reduce your costs. Some schools also offer major-specific scholarships from their proprietary financial aid offices.

Accounting Careers With an Online Degree

Online accounting degrees can lead to numerous careers in both the public and private sectors. Some of the most popular career options include:

• budget analyst
• financial advisor
• investment banker
• fraud investigator
• financial analyst

Can You Become an Accountant With an Online Degree?

Yes, you can become an accountant with an online degree, provided your degree meets certain criteria. The biggest factor is whether your degree has regional, national, or other accreditation. Accreditation will ensure that your degree can lead to advanced exams or graduate programs.

Find Online Bachelor's Degrees Today

Whether it is in-state or in another state, there is an online accounting degree for you. Reviewing our school profiles can help you learn more about individual programs and degree offerings to help you plan your future career path.