Colleges in Illinois
Why go to College in Illinois?
Universities and colleges in Illinois boast world-class research programs, Division I athletic teams, and robust academic programs. Eleven schools meet the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching criteria as "National Universities." Public universities are optimistic about the future following the resolution of a two-year budget impasse. In addition to allowing schools to plan for faculty and program improvements, the state can also fund student grants.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Illinois?
On-Campus
On-campus learning provides students with a traditional college experience as well as additional hands-on opportunities that are integral parts of many degree paths. For example, nursing programs often require students to complete clinical experiences critical to the curriculum. The face-to-face learning opportunities may also better suit some students. On-campus students also have easy access to college support services, such as tutoring, writing labs, career coaching, and mental health services. First-time college students, like recent high school graduates, benefit from the on-campus option, which provides a set schedule and a high level of structure for assignments.
Online Programs
Online colleges in Illinois allow those with outside obligations to schedule classwork around their other responsibilities. Online degree programs also remove educational barriers and help individuals achieve their goals more quickly. Many colleges also extend support services to online students, such as writing labs, tutoring, and providing dedicated librarians to serve distance learners.
Technology allows for a variety of delivery methods, such as videos, audio recordings, slideshows, and in-depth readings. Discussion boards enable interaction among classmates. Many online schools in Illinois offer accelerated class formats as well.
Students attending an online school in Illinois need self-discipline. With no set class time, students must complete assignments by the due date and communicate with instructors on their own.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs combine online course delivery with some on-campus sessions. Students may elect to complete a few electives on campus while completing most courses online. Some degrees will require in-person instruction. Students in a medical program need to complete clinical practice as part of the curriculum. Flexibility is a primary objective of hybrid online schools in Illinois. Instructors keep in-person classes to a minimum. Some schools offer classes at satellite campuses to reduce commute times. Night classes can minimize conflicts with work schedules. Intensive weekend sessions allow students to focus on necessary skills in a shorter time than weeknight sessions.
Popular Degree Programs in Illinois
More than 30 Fortune 500 companies call Illinois home, with Walgreens, Boeing, and State Farm Insurance headquartered in the state. A business management and administration degree prepares graduates for a variety of roles within these organizations. The concentration of insurance companies makes actuarial science a promising field in the state, with a growth projection of 18% through 2024.
Actuarial Science Graduates often combine mathematics, statistics, and economics into work in the insurance field. Actuaries use data to calculate risk and design insurance policies to account for it. These professionals also work with governments and financial institutions to evaluate pension plans and ensure enough funds are available to meet benefit promises.
Business Management and Administration Among the most popular undergraduate degrees since the 1980s, business management and administration courses provide foundational business knowledge used in many industries and careers. Many schools allow students to specialize in an area, such as marketing or accounting. Many also have expanded options to include e-commerce and entrepreneurship.
Best Online Colleges in Illinois for 2019
Students have multiple choices when selecting an online college in Illinois. These choices can be narrowed by selecting a potential career path and finding schools with that particular major. This resource provides information on school and program accreditation.
Also, consider if the programs are 100% online or require in-person attendance. Students returning to college may have transferrable credits from a previous educational experience. Some schools will even offer credit for work experience, reducing the time and cost to complete a degree. While the traditional semester course continues to be a popular choice, some programs allow students to accelerate their progress either through competency-based learning or shorter class sessions where students complete one to two courses at a time.
Top 19 Colleges in Illinois for 2019
Best Online Community Colleges in Illinois for 2019
Top 25 Online Community Colleges in Illinois for 2019
Graduation Rate
35%
Online Enrollment
24%
Retention Rate
59%
Default Rate
13%
Located in Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College serves several counties and extends learning to students across the state through eLearning. SIC enrolls approximately 5,000 students and serves as southeastern Illinois' leader in online education.
Students wanting to earn an associate degree can choose from options in early childhood education, business management, and criminal justice. The 62-credit associate of arts provides learners with a liberal arts education that transfers into a baccalaureate degree at a senior college. One of the top online community colleges in Illinois, SIC's online certificates in accounting, business management, and biodiesel production offer short-term credentials that prepare workers for the workplace. The school enrolls students in the fall, spring, and summer.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Illinois
While Illinois showed higher-than-average spending per postsecondary education student in 2015, the data reflects a one-time payment of $1.08 billion to shore up the state's retirement system — 44.3% of the state's higher education funding that year. In fact, state funding for higher education has been decreasing since 2007. Illinois residents earn a bachelor's degree at a rate slightly higher than the U.S. population.
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,332 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 6.3% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 19.9% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 12.4% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Illinois
A college education is an investment, but the cost can vary greatly among schools. Public two-year colleges charge about one-third the tuition of a public four-year university in the state. The savings for the first two years of an education can pare down an otherwise hefty amount of student debt. The average Illinois graduate incurs over $29,000 in debt .
Tuition Prices
Tuition and fees make up about half the cost of college attendance. Students also must account for the cost of books, transportation, and room and board. Some programs may have additional fees, such as the charge for a background check for student nurses or teachers prior to enrolling in off-campus, hands-on classes.
Financial Aid
Financial aid can significantly reduce college costs. The first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This determines a student's estimated family contribution. In addition to determining eligibility for federal grant programs, such as the Pell Grant, Illinois also uses the information to make Monetary Award Program grants. Students must be attending an on-campus or online college in Illinois.
Students may also seek out scholarship funds from colleges, local civic organizations, and professional organizations. Students may need to meet residency or major requirements to qualify for some awards. Work-study programs and loans also help pay college costs. Many schools try to place students in major-specific jobs. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest while students are enrolled at least half-time in school.
Cost for Online Programs in Illinois
Students attending online colleges in Illinois should complete the FAFSA each year. Grants and scholarships apply to online tuition and fees, as well. Online schools in Illinois offer flexibility regarding when students complete coursework, which can save students money on transportation or childcare costs.
Students attending online schools in Illinois may be enrolled part or full time, and this can affect financial aid awards as they will be required to meet any credit hour stipulations for grants or scholarships.
Cost of Living by Region
Chicago offers ample educational options and career opportunities following graduation, but the cost of living is significantly higher than other parts of the state and other popular cities in the region. This is most notable in housing costs, which are about 80% higher than Champaign-Urbana.
Scholarships for Illinois College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Students may use scholarship awards at any accredited college, including online colleges in Illinois. Most scholarship programs will require students maintain full-time enrollment. A few scholarships, however, were developed specifically for part-time or nontraditional students. Many awards specify a career field or major. Some programs may require students to complete a few years of service in a high-need area after graduation. Be sure to check individual program requirements before accepting a scholarship.
Employment Outlook in Illinois
Illinois is home to more than 30 Fortune 500 companies, including Walgreens, Boeing, and State Farm Insurance. Chicago houses five financial exchanges, including the Chicago Stock Exchange and Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Agriculture remains an important component of the state's economy, as 75% of the state's land involved in farming. Agriculture provides the ingredients to feed a thriving food manufacturing industry in the Great Plains region. Agriculture industry giant Archer Daniels Midland — another Fortune 500 company — is headquartered in the state, as well. The state boasts a mean annual wage slightly higher than the national mark; however, the state's unemployment rate remains above the national average by 0.7%.
| Illinois | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, August 2017 | 5% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $51,500 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Illinois
Top Industries in Illinois
Office and Administrative Support: From customer service and data entry clerks to accounting, human resources and logistics, office and administrative support personnel find employment across industries. Local government employs the most people. The postal service reports the highest concentration of jobs.
Sales and Related Occupations: Sales professionals help connect buyers with goods and services, such as clothing, cars, homes, or financial securities. Sales jobs can include clerks in brick-and-mortar businesses to online marketing experts. The top paying industries for this profession is securities and commodities brokerages.
Food Preparation and Serving Related: Restaurants and other eating establishments provide the bulk of employment in this industry, followed by special food services. Chefs and cooks may find work at restaurants, in schools or hospitals, or in private homes.
Top Employers in Illinois
Retail Salespersons: 186,820 employees
Laborers and Freight: 145,060 employees
Office Clerks: 140,700 employees
Source: careerinfonet.org
Accreditation for Colleges in Illinois
Students should verify accreditation status for their school and degree program. Accreditation ensures the school has met rigorous quality standards and that the content is appropriate for the course of study. Colleges and universities rely on this assurance when determining transfer credit. Likewise, employers and licensing agencies depend on accreditation to ensure graduates have completed all required classes. Specialized accreditation evaluates distinct career programs, such as law, nursing, or teacher certification. For example, Illinois requires prospective lawyers to graduate from a school accredited by the American Bar Association before taking the bar exam.
Accreditation ensures the school has met rigorous quality standards and that the content is appropriate for the course of study
Schools may be regionally or nationally accredited. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the regional accrediting agency, certifies the general education programs offered by on-campus and online schools in Illinois. Regionally accredited schools will often accept transfer credits from other such schools. Students attending online colleges in Illinois should verify the program is accredited both through the institution and, if necessary, the specialized accrediting agency. The Council for Higher Education does recognize several national accreditation agencies, which have traditionally focused on career, vocation, or trade schools. Degree requirements from a nationally accredited school may vary significantly from those of a regionally accredited school. Students considering transferring to complete higher level degrees will want to consider the type of accreditation offered to ensure they do not have to retake classes.
Resources for Students in Illinois
Illinois Board of Higher Education : View data about individual colleges and universities with a physical presence in the state, including degrees offered, school type, cost, and enrollment. This tool allows students to compare schools and search by degree level and program.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission : The agency administers the Monetary Award Program, Illinois' need-based college grant program. Students will also find information on a variety of scholarships offered by the ISAC, such as the Golden Apple Scholars for prospective teachers or the Nursing Education Scholarship Program.
Illinois Community College Board : Find information on college affordability, with additional financial aid resources, as well as detailed data on community college enrollment and completion rates. The site also offers tips for successfully transferring from a community college to a four-year college.
Directory of Approved Schools : The Illinois Board of Higher Education must approve higher education institutions operating in the state. While schools may choose whether or not to seek accreditation, state approval to offer the degrees is mandatory. State approval is particularly important for any career that requires state licensure or certification.
Illinois Apprenticeship Plus : Illinois agencies offer youth apprenticeship opportunities to gain industry-specific credentials. The initiative works with public agencies and organizations and private industry to provide a pathway to a career through hands-on learning opportunities.