Best Online Education & Teaching Programs in Illinois (IL)
Whether you’re an experienced educator seeking professional advancement or a student looking to earn a teaching degree, this guide will introduce you to the best education and teaching programs in Illinois. Explore curriculum and specialization options, program costs and financial aid opportunities, and more.
Do you love sharing knowledge with someone and watching their eyes light up? Are you a seasoned veteran of the classroom looking for a leadership position? If so, this guide is for you. We put together a list of quality schools that offer the best education programs in Illinois for undergraduates and graduates, with affordability, financial aid, student support, and accreditation as our main criteria.
Get ready to learn about the various education degrees, projected job market, and important resources for educators in Illinois. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid foundation of knowledge about the best online teaching programs in Illinois.
Top Online Education/Teaching Programs in IL
Earning an online education and teaching degree in Illinois is a convenient alternative to traditional programs that may not fit into students’ busy schedules. Working professionals and students with family responsibilities need a flexible study format that can be done in the evenings or on weekends.
While you complete an online teaching degree program in Illinois, you’ll have many opportunities for meaningful interactions with teachers and peers. In most cases, you’ll have access to round-the-clock tech support, library resources, and financial aid. Below are schools with top online education and teaching degrees in Illinois. These are just a preview of our full rankings list, which we will be publishing soon.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Public
Western Illinois University
Macomb, Illinois
Public
University of St Francis
Joliet, Illinois
Private
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, Illinois
Public
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Private
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois
Private
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
Public
National Louis University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois
Public
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois
Private
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University not only stands out for its on-campus teaching programs, it also has some of the best online education programs in Illinois for those who want to earn a graduate degree in education. The school offers significant student support through an online library, tech support, disability resources, a university writing center to help students improve their writing skills, academic advisement, and a career services office. NIU has designed its online format to provide students with a personalized learning experience while giving them access to the same resources and support as on-campus students.
Although the university doesn’t have any online undergraduate education programs, it does have a variety of master’s degree options and some doctoral programs ranging from elementary education to school management to community college leadership. As with on-campus courses, online tuition remains the same whether the student lives out of state or resides in Illinois.
Types of Education & Teaching Degrees You Can Earn in Illinois
Illinois offers a variety of top education and teaching degrees to students at different points in their careers. These can be taken on-campus or online, depending on the individual’s needs. Below, we explain the different types of education degrees, who can most benefit from them, and list high-quality schools that offer them.
Undergraduate Teaching/Education Degrees in Illinois
Associate Degrees in Education
An associate degree in education may be a good fit for people interested in an education career who aren’t ready to commit to a four-year bachelor’s program. It’s transferable, less expensive than a bachelor’s degree, and it provides a good foundation to work as a teacher’s aide or substitute teacher, usually in early childhood education.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Associate Degrees in Education
- Kaskaskia College (Online or On-Campus)
- Harper College (On-Campus)
- Lewis & Clark Community College (Online)
Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
Those who know they want to be a teacher and have a career in the education field can benefit from a bachelor’s degree. It will equip them to become licensed teachers and give them access to jobs outside the classroom, such as a career counselor, residence manager, or campus recruiter.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
- National Louis University (Online or On-Campus)
- Northeastern Illinois University (On-Campus)
- Greenville University (Online)
Graduate Education Degrees in Illinois
Master’s Degrees in Education (MEd)
With a master’s degree in education from one of the top education programs in Illinois, teachers can advance their teaching skills, increase their earning potential, and pursue leadership positions such as a principal, school superintendent, curriculum developer, and education consultant. A master’s degree can typically be earned in one to two years in an online, on-campus, or hybrid format.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Master’s Degrees in Education
- Concordia University Chicago (Online or On-Campus)
- Aurora University (On-Campus)
- University of Illinois Springfield (Online)
Doctorate of Education (EdD) Programs
A doctorate degree from one of the top education programs in Illinois benefits professionals who aspire to lead educational organizations and influence educational policy. Such positions involve addressing social and political issues that affect both students and teachers, developing educational procedures, managing budgets, and using in-depth research to solve problems. An EdD program helps students develop leadership skills for many different educational settings and may include a residency.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Doctorate (EdD) Programs
- DePaul University (Online or On-Campus)
- Loyola University – Chicago (Online or Hybrid)
- Bradley University (Online)
Education PhD Programs
Teachers interested in advancing their research and technical expertise in specific areas for college faculty and administrative positions will want to pursue a PhD in education. This three- to four-year program typically includes leadership, policy, and STEM concentrations that encourage students to make their own discoveries through new research.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Education PhD Programs
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (On-Campus)
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (On-Campus)
- Illinois State University (Online)
Graduate Certificates
A graduate certificate from a top education program in Illinois is a more affordable option than a traditional master’s degree and only takes about a year to complete. It allows students to focus on their specialty and do the work on a part-time schedule if necessary. Coursework focuses on up-to-date, actionable material that also acts as a good stepping stone to a graduate degree.
Accredited Illinois Colleges with Education Graduate Certificates
- DePaul University (On-Campus)
- National Louis University (Online)
- University of Illinois – Springfield (Online)
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Education Students in Illinois
Teaching students in Illinois can find state and federal financial aid resources through the Illinois State Board of Education. They list several options, including scholarships, tuition assistance, loans, and grants such as the Pell Grant.
State programs include the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program and tuition assistance up to $23,000 from the Golden Apple Scholars Program. It’s also worthwhile to see if a college offers its own scholarships. Some, like Northern Illinois University, have merit scholarships that all incoming students are automatically eligible for upon application. For more ways to pay for your degree, try checking out STEPS’ financial aid guide and scholarships guide.
Job Outlook and Earnings Potential for Teachers in Illinois
The job market for teachers in Illinois is booming. According to the Illinois State Board of Education’s unfilled positions data, the state had 3,500 teaching positions that were unfilled in 2023. One-third of these were for special education teachers. This differs from the national data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics which predicts a 0% growth rate for that same position.
Because of this shortage, Governor Pritzker signed legislation to provide teachers with a minimum annual salary of $40,000 as of 2023. However, a teacher’s pay in 2022 averaged $72,301 per year, right on par with the national average.
| Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Annual Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 0% | 498,400 | $75,020 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 1% | 1,072,300 | $72,480 |
| School and Career Counselor | 5% | 342,400 | $60,140 |
| Education Administrators – Kindergarten Through Secondary | 1% | 300,400 | $106,690 |
| Librarian | 3% | 141,200 | $63,790 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Illinois Teaching Professional and Student Resources
- Illinois State Board of Education A must for educators, this site keeps current and future teachers up to date with all the need-to-know information regarding licensure, special education, and policy changes. It also tracks the education job market and lists financial aid resources.
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission This website is aimed at students and parents of students who are heading off to college in pursuit of a teaching degree. It has sections for each stage of the education journey (before, during, and after college) and financial aid resources.
- Illinois Open Educational Resources On this site, teachers can find and share educational content that aligns with state standards along with career resources and curated online libraries. They can create customized collections of must-have content and share new resources of their own.
- Illinois Education Association Founded in 1853 by educators, this organization is dedicated to promoting excellence in Illinois’ public education. It offers a wealth of information and resources on grants, policy, mental health, jobs, and how to become a teacher.
- The Arc of Illinois The Arc of Illinois focuses on special education and advocates for those with developmental disabilities. They provide training resources, public policy information, and support for both parents and educators to ensure all people get an education.