2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Illinois

Online degrees at the College of DuPage (COD) provide students with flexibility and convenience. COD offers affordable online associate degrees in Criminal Justice, Marketing, Accounting, Technical Support, Management, and Software Development. Online certificate programs include Long-term Care Administration, Education Paraprofessional, and Web Programming. Each semester, courses are available asynchronously online (NET) and synchronously through Virtual Classroom Meetings (VCM). Students can generally work through these online programs at their own pace, though they must meet weekly deadlines. COD's Learning Commons provides online tutoring services in math, writing, reading, and speech. Online tech support and library services are also available to distance learners.

Through state-of-the-art virtual classroom technology, Joliet Junior College (JJC) provides online associate degrees and certificate programs to students who prefer distance learning. Students who complete online associate degrees may decide to transfer to four-year universities, or they can join the workforce after graduation. Some examples of associate degrees at the two-year level include the following: Management and Supervision, Management Information Systems, and Computer Programming. Students interested in developing job-readiness skills can also earn online certificates in fields such as human resources, global supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and Microsoft Office. JJC's online student support services mirror services available to on-campus learners, including tutoring, advising, and library services.

Waubonsee Community College makes education accessible for busy, working students through its flexible MyChoice program. MyChoice allows students to take courses 100% online, on campus, or in a hybrid format. The online courses are offered in synchronous and asynchronous formats, including toward associate degrees in Business Administration, Human Resources Management, and specific transfer associate degree programs. Waubonsee students also complete online professional development certificates in computer support and office software. Remote programs may also be available in an accelerated format, enabling faster completion. Additionally, online technical support and access to library databases are available to distance learners at Waubonsee.

Harper College's online programs suit students who need scheduling flexibility. Students can enroll in online associate degrees in Health Information Technology, Paraprofessional Education, and Accounting — to name a few options. Harper's robust online associate degree in Business Administration, for example, includes popular concentrations, such as Human Resources, Financial Management, Social Media, and Insurance. Harper's distance learners can also access online student support services, such as academic advising, tutoring, library resources, military and veteran student advising, and technology support. The school also offers online student wellness support services.

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) has provided affordable online programs for 25 years. Hundreds of online general education courses offered by LLCC can help students transfer to four-year institutions and develop job-readiness skills. Programs are diverse and include online associate degrees in Criminal Justice, English, History, Liberal Arts, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. Online associate degrees in technology include Computer Science and Computer Systems, with programming, networking, CISCO, and security tracks. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) eager to become RNs can also complete an online LPN to ADN transition program. Prospective fire service instructors can complete online certificates of completion at LLCC. Online students can also schedule virtual appointments for services, such as career coaching, academic advising, and tutoring.