Best online colleges in Illinois
Colleges where at least half of students study entirely online, ranked by Compass Score.
Best online colleges in Illinois6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Illinois.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- At least half of students enrolled only in distance education (federal data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL · Private nonprofitTop 21% for earnings
- Mostly online students
- 67% graduate
- 2
VanderCook College of Music
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit#16 in Illinois
- Mostly online students
- 67% graduate
- 3
Chamberlain University-Illinois
Addison, IL · Private for-profitTop 3% for earnings
- Mostly online students
- 42% graduate
- 4
National Louis University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low net price
- Mostly online students
- 30% graduate
- 5
Concordia University-Chicago
River Forest, IL · Private nonprofitSolid: Compass grade C+
- Mostly online students
- 36% graduate
- 6
DeVry University-Illinois
Lisle, IL · Private for-profit#57 in Illinois
- Mostly online students
- 37% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of St. Francis | $13,006 | $21,079 | $63,926 | 67% |
| VanderCook College of Music | $19,780 | $27,000 | $47,863 | 67% |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | $31,837 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 42% |
| National Louis University | $12,641 | $19,750 | $45,799 | 30% |
| Concordia University-Chicago | $18,436 | $23,000 | $54,089 | 36% |
| DeVry University-Illinois | $30,770 | $24,807 | $45,987 | 37% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.