2025 Top Online Community Colleges in Illinois

Enrolling in a community college is a great option for students who want to enter their field of choice but desire an affordable academic option. Fortunately, Illinois is home to 14 online community colleges to choose from.

Community colleges are generally more affordable than four-year institutions and often have less strict admissions policies.

A two-year degree from a community college can open doors to great careers and provide credits you can apply toward a bachelor's degree.

If a community college is the right choice for you, keep reading to learn more about the top online community colleges in Illinois.

Featured Community Colleges Online in Illinois

This list features some of the best online community colleges in Illinois.

1. Elgin Community College

Elgin Community College is a public institution delivering more than 130 degrees and certificates to more than 11,000 students.

The college offers programs for students interested in career and technical education.

Attendees who want flexible learning options can choose from 20 online degree programs with asynchronous and synchronous courses.

Degrees include the Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science (AAS).

Areas of study include business, psychology, criminal justice, digital forensics, and history.

2. Moraine Valley Community College

At Moraine Valley Community College, students interested in a two-year degree or certificate have access to more than 130 programs.

Of those programs, two are available in a fully online learning environment with no campus requirements.

The AAS in Criminal Justice is a program designed for students who want entry-level careers in the criminal justice system.

The AAS in Computer Information Systems prepares students for careers in information technology like software support, web design, and technical support.

3. Waubonsee Community College

Waubonsee Community College is a two-year college providing students with more than 65 programs for credit � nearly half a dozen of those programs are available online.

Students can study in a fully online learning environment while earning an Associate in Arts general degree, an Associate in Science general degree, or an Associate in General Studies (AGS) degree.

Waubonsee also offers online Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees in business administration and human resources management.

4. Oakton Community College

At Oakton Community College, students can choose from more than 150 academic programs, including degrees and certificates.

The majority of these programs can be completed in one year or less.

Of those academic options, more than half a dozen are associate degrees available completely online.

Fully online associate degree options include accounting, computer applications for business, early childhood education, and management and supervision.

Additional online programs include marketing management, computer networking and systems, and general studies.

5. Lincoln Land Community College

Lincoln Land Community College is a two-year college with an enrollment of just over 11,000 students.

Attendees can choose from dozens of degrees in areas of study that range from agribusiness to aviation maintenance.

Students who are interested in studying from home can choose from a dozen online degree options at Lincoln Land Community College.

Online associate degrees are available in accounting, English, philosophy, sociology, criminal justice, computer science, and more.

6. John Wood Community College

John Wood Community College offers dozens of degrees for transfer students as well as students interested in applied associate degrees.

Ranked a top online community college in Illinois, John Wood also offers several fully online programs.

Associate degree program options include accounting, business, logistics, education, history, and psychology.

Online learners take courses through the Canvas Learning Management System and receive support 24/7.

Upon completion, students will be ready to transfer to a four-year college.

7. Sauk Valley Community College

Sauk Valley Community College delivers two-year transfer degrees (AA or AS) for students interested in earning bachelor's degrees.

Attendees can also earn AAS career degrees if they're interested in entering the workforce after graduating.

Online degree options are available for both types of degrees.

Students can earn an Associate in Arts in General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) completely online.

Additional online options are available in management, marketing, accounting, and liberal studies.

8. Harper College

Harper College is one of the nation's largest community colleges with an enrollment of 29,000 students annually.

The school offers certificates and two-year degrees for students ready to start careers in their field of choice or transfer to a four-year university.

Attendees have access to several programs that are available completely online.

Degree options include Associate in Applied Science programs in accounting, business administration, health information technology, and paraprofessional education.

An Associate in Arts degree is also offered completely online.

9. McHenry County College

McHenry County College is a public community college providing credit and noncredit academic and training programs.

The college is home to six associate degree programs and 35 Associate of Applied Science programs.

Students who want to learn online can choose from several career and technical education degrees, including the AAS in accounting, administrative office management, and business management.

Attendees can also choose from an AAS in Network Security and Associate in General Studies.

10. Rock Valley College

Rock Valley College is a public community college that offers a fully online, two-year Associate of Arts degree program.

This program focuses on communications, humanities/fine arts, mathematics, social and behavioral sciences and other concepts that prepare students to transfer to a four-year college.

Courses are typically delivered in an asynchronous format that allows for complete flexibility. Students take two classes at a time over periods of four or eight weeks.

11. Lake Land College

Lake Land College is a community college offering more than 150 degree and certificate programs for students who want to transfer to four-year schools or enter the workforce.

The school has been offering online courses since 1997 and currently delivers more than 200 distance course options.

Currently, the college offers one associate degree taught completely online.

The AAS in Medical Coding & Health Information teaches students medical ethics, medical reimbursement, statistics, information technology, and more.

12. Black Hawk College

Black Hawk College is a community college serving nine counties in northwestern Illinois.

Attendees can choose from multiple career and transfer planning academic programs.

Individuals interested in learning online can enroll in the school's Associate of Arts degree, which is offered 100% online.

The program has no campus requirements and offers concentrations in psychology, accounting, and business.

Once students have completed this program, they can easily transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree.

13. South Suburban College

South Suburban College delivers multiple career education and college transfer programs to its more than 9,000 students who enroll each year.

Students can choose from more than 100 programs in areas of study that include business and computer technology, allied health, English, communication, nursing, legal studies, and STEM.

The community college offers some of its associate degrees completely online. Options include the Associate of Arts, Associate in General Studies, and AAS Community Health Worker.

14. Kaskaskia College

At Kaskaskia College, students can choose from more than 150 academic and certificate programs for students who want to further their education or start their careers.

More than a dozen of the community college's programs are offered online with over five hundred online courses available.

Online programs include the Associate in Arts and Associate in General Studies.

Additional degree programs are available in business accounting, business management, business marketing, health information technology, and early childhood education.

Is Community College Free in Illinois?

It does not appear that Illinois has a program that provides all students with an opportunity to attend community college free of charge.

However, an opportunity does exist for eligible students to pay little or nothing to attend a community college.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) offers grants for tuition and mandatory fees at approved Illinois colleges (community colleges included) to eligible Illinois residents with financial need.

In 2023, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proposed grants for students at or below the median income level to attend community college for free. But as of early 2024, the proposal had not yet become a reality.

How Much Does Community College Cost in Illinois?

The cost of attending online community colleges in Illinois varies by institution.

Most colleges charge less than $200 per credit hour with some schools reaching as low as $117 per credit hour.

If you don't qualify for a MAP grant, consider filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to qualify for grants, loans, and the Federal Work-Study Program.

You might also qualify for tuition reimbursement through your employer if you're a working student.

Veterans and current military service members can take advantage of tuition reduction opportunities through the GI Bill and military grants and scholarships.

Illinois Community College Degree Types

When attending one of the online community colleges in Illinois, you'll encounter three common degree types.

The Associate of Arts (AA) is a two-year degree designed for students interested in gaining general education and career skills in the humanities, social science, and writing.

Students who pursue a two-year Associate of Science (AS) degree typically focus on technology and science.

Community colleges also offer two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees for students interested in a specific technical skill.

Career Opportunities for Illinois Community College Graduates

Enrolling in one of the online community colleges in Illinois prepares students to transfer to four-year schools or immediately enter the workforce.

If you'd like to start a career after completing your associate degree, great career opportunities are available.

Common careers for students who graduate with an AA degree include information clerk, administrative assistant, preschool teacher, and human services assistant.

Individuals who graduate with a AS degree might take on more technical jobs like automotive services technician, licensed practical nurse, and web developer.

An AAS degree also prepares students for technical roles in fields like bookkeeping, sonography, and dental hygiene.

Find an Online Community College Today

Earning a degree from one of the top online community colleges in Illinois can open doors to amazing career opportunities in the state. Don't wait any longer to get started. Find the right online community college and enroll today.