Illinois – located in the Midwestern region, is the 6th largest by population and 25th largest state by land in the US. According to National Center for Education Statistics, Illinois hosts 156 degree-granting postsecondary institutions, which is the 7th highest among all states.  

Colleges in the state provide a wealth of education options suitable for individuals of all backgrounds. However, due to higher educational costs, more students are continually opting for distance learning. Online colleges in Illinois offer affordable degrees, flexible class schedules, scholarships, and more. Read on to learn more about the benefits of choosing Illinois for online colleges. 

Why choose Illinois for online college? 

Illinois ranks 15th as America’s Top State for Business – CNBC. The top industries in the state include business services, advanced manufacturing, education, agriculture, energy, and biotechnology. Students pursuing online degrees in Illinois will have better chances of getting lucrative positions in these industries. Many top colleges also provide internship facilities, which help students get experience with the real-time work environment. 

Online colleges in Illinois 

Illinois is home to many higher educational institutions suitable for online education. Finding the right one might get difficult. So, to help streamline your process, we have selected some of the popular options that you can look into.

Cost of attending college in Illinois

Educational expenses in Illinois are more expensive when compared to many other states. The average on-campus tuition & required fees at 4-year public institutions are $14,455 (in-state) and $29,515 (out-of-state). However, online tuition rates are significantly lower. The exact cost for online degrees in Illinois will vary from college to college. Students coming from a different state can receive in-state tuition rates by becoming residents for tuition purposes.

Illinois Scholarships

Government and local organizations throughout the state offer scholarship opportunities to different types of student groups. These are mostly applicable for merit-based and need-based students. Below, we have listed a few programs that are available for students attending online colleges in Illinois.

Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship	Scholarship Amount
The candidate must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and must have an address in one of the following: Boone, Cook, Dekalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, or Winnebago Counties.	Amount Varies See Scholarship
The Anhelo Project	Scholarship Amount
Eligible candidates must have a good academic standing with a GPA of at least 2.5 and should demonstrate leadership through community involvement.	Amount Varies See Scholarship
The Illinois CPA Society scholarships	Scholarship Amount
Several scholarships are available and are focused on accounting and CPA candidates with strong academic standing.	Amount Varies See Scholarship
Nursing Education Scholarship Program	Scholarship Amount
Eligible candidate must be a resident of Illinois for at least one year before applying and also needs to demonstrate financial needs.	Approx. $8,324 to $17,124 See Scholarship
Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation	Scholarship Amount
Eligible candidates must be a resident of Illinois and are majoring in culinary, restaurant management, food service, or another related program.	Amount Varies See Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions