University of Illinois Chicago Among Top Online College Programs In U.S.

A trend to virtual higher education that began during the pandemic has become a norm for many students, U.S. News & World Report said in a recent ranking of the best online programs that includes 13 schools in Illinois.

Colleges are expected to expand their online degree offerings, developing new programs as technology, course design, and high-speed internet availability continue to advance online learning, U.S. News said in its 2026 Best Online Colleges report.

The top 13 online institutions in Illinois and the tuition cost per credit are:

• University of Illinois Chicago, ranked No. 3 nationally, $350 tuition cost per credit
• Loyola University Chicago, ranked 24, $825
• Illinois State University, ranked 29, $804
• University of Illinois Springfield, ranked 48, $379
• University of St. Francis, ranked 77, $425
• DePaul University, ranked 105, $531
• McKendree University, ranked 160, $425
• Illinois College, ranked 169, $425
• Eastern Illinois University, ranked 195, $348
• DeVry University, ranked 224, $514
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale, ranked 224, $321
• Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, ranked 263, $575
• Governors State University, ranked 263, $373

Online enrollment peaked in 2020 when the pandemic closed college campuses nationwide. In fall 2021, when colleges reopened for in-person learning, 61 percent of all undergraduate students (9.4 million) were enrolled in at least one distance education course, and 28 percent (4.4 million) were enrolled exclusively in online classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Flexibility is a big reason behind the growth of online college enrollment. Students with family and full-time job responsibilities may be able to work around their schedules. It’s not a perfect fit for everyone, U.S. News said, but those with strong time management skills and the discipline to overcome distractions can make it work.

Online formats come with unique learning challenges, but U.S. News said accredited institutions like those in its ranking typically offer tailored support to help students adjust to the online environment.

The top schools in the country and the cost of out-of-state tuition per credit are:

1. University of Florida ($500)
2. State University of New York — SUNY ($353)
3. University of Illinois Chicago ($350)
4, (tie) Ohio State University ($508)
4, (tie) University of North Carolina-Charlotte ($318)
6. (tie) Arizona State University ($580)
6. (tie) Oregon State University ($384)
6. (tie) University of Central Florida ($769)
9. CUNY School of Professional Studies ($350)
10. University of Tennessee-Knoxville ($460)
11. (tie) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($522)
11. (tie) Texas A&M University-College Station ($1,249)
11. (tie) University of Missouri-St. Louis ($1,384)
11. (tie) Washington State University ($672)
15. (tie) University of Arizona ($525)
15. (tie)University of North Carolina-Wilmington ($942)

Related: Forbes Names 20 Colleges ‘New Ivies,’ Says Employers Prefer Them