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2023 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 1/6/2023
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Prospective college students with busy lives and demanding schedules appreciate the convenience and accessibility of online higher education. Online colleges in Illinois address these needs by offering robust undergraduate degree programs. These online bachelor’s degree programs can help students develop in-demand job skills and remain competitive in a dynamic workforce. Majors at these online schools range from Psychology and Applied Linguistics to Emergency Management and Business Communications. Students often apply the college credits they earned from Illinois community colleges to the state’s online four-year institutions, which can make for a seamless transition. 

We’ve ranked the best online colleges in Illinois by salary score so you can set realistic earnings expectations and mitigate the burden of student debt. View our methodology for details about our list, or learn more about OnlineU.

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2023 Best Online Colleges in Illinois

RankSchool Salary Score Median Starting Salary
# 1 #1 DePaul University 70 70 $42,726
# 2 #2 Moody Bible Institute 66 $29,312
# 3 #3 Western Illinois University 57 $37,072
# 4 #4 DeVry University 55 $47,455
# 5 #5 Aurora University 53 $44,052
# 6 #6 National Louis University 51 $40,177
# 7 #7 Eastern Illinois University 50 $34,779

2023 Online Colleges Offering Bachelor's Degrees

Ranking Details

#1 DePaul University

  • Salary Score: 70
  • Median Starting Salary: $42,726
  • Locations: Chicago
  • Accreditation: HLC

DePaul University is a Roman Catholic institution offering a wide range of online bachelor’s degree programs. Students can choose from majors such as Accountancy, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Recreation and Sport Management. Transfer students can enroll in online bachelor’s degree completion programs as well, such as Applied Behavioral Sciences, Decision Analytics, Leadership Studies, and Psychology. DePaul helps its distance learners with career preparation by offering access to virtual career fairs, resume help, and interview training. Students can also access the library and bookstore online. DePaul believes in taking care of the mental health needs of all its students by providing access to its 24/7 mental health support line.

#2 Moody Bible Institute

  • Salary Score: 66
  • Median Starting Salary: $29,312
  • Locations: Chicago
  • Accreditation: HLC

The Moody Bible Institute is an interdenominational, faith-based college that pioneered distance learning at higher education institutions. It offers unique online bachelor’s degree programs — such as Jewish Studies, Ministry to Women, Applied Linguistics, Music and Worship, and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). These online programs can help students prepare for careers in the secular and non-secular job market or meet the requirements to enroll in graduate degree programs. Moody provides remote student services, including career resources, access to the library, tech support, and academic advising.

#3 Western Illinois University

  • Salary Score: 57
  • Median Starting Salary: $37,072
  • Locations: Macomb
  • Accreditation: HLC

Western Illinois University (WIU) is an affordable, military-friendly institution offering convenience and nineteen online bachelor’s degree programs in various majors. Distance learners can major in fields such as Emergency Management, Fire Protection Services (with a Fire Administration option), Geographic Information Science, Nursing, and Political Science. Online student support services include tutoring via Zoom, academic advising, mental health counseling, library resources, and WIU's bookstore.

#4 DeVry University

  • Salary Score: 55
  • Median Starting Salary: $47,455
  • Locations: Multiple Locations
  • Accreditation: HLC

DeVry University makes attending classes from anywhere possible by offering online bachelor’s degrees in the field of technology, business, accounting, healthcare, and liberal arts. Majors in these online degree programs include Communications (with a Business Communications specialization), Healthcare Administration (with a Healthcare Management specialization), Accounting, 14 specialization options in Business, and 13 specializations in Technology. Online courses are accelerated and start every eight weeks so that students can finish faster than traditional programs. Distance learners can access DeVry’s virtual employer events, library services, the university bookstore, and online student groups.

#5 Aurora University

  • Salary Score: 53
  • Median Starting Salary: $44,052
  • Locations: Aurora
  • Accreditation: HLC

Aurora University’s flexible online undergraduate degree programs suit students’ busy lives. Online bachelor’s degree programs are designed for students with relevant life experience and previous college coursework. They can choose from majors such as Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. Aurora supports distance learning by providing student support services — such as a librarian online chat, research help via Zoom, writing help, and tutoring. At the Aurora University Bookstore, students can purchase school supplies, textbooks, college gear, and other academic materials online.

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