Best Online Accounting Programs in Illinois (2026)

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Illinois Accounting At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Accounting Salary$89,561
Salary OutlookIllinois offers competitive wages for accounting professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyIllinois Board of Accountancy
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online accounting degree in Illinois offers a flexible path into accounting careers. Illinois offers competitive wages for accounting professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Illinois students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Accounting Schools in Illinois

The following schools offer accredited online accounting programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Illinois.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
81.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 97%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $89,363
Avg net price $29,167/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 98%
  • Programs offered: 23

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
60.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,892
Avg net price $2,829/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 68

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
59.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 32%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $44,788
Avg net price $11,442/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 45

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, IL
  • 2 year
  • Accredited
49.1 BOC Score
Graduation rate 46%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $37,724
Avg net price $3,349/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,340
Out‑of‑state$7,840
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

College of Lake County

Grayslake, IL
  • 2 year
  • Accredited
47.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 38%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,424
Avg net price $7,607/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,788
Out‑of‑state$14,400
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 81

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Illinois

Accounting professionals in Illinois experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Illinois.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Illinois)
Accountant and Auditor$80,230
Financial Manager$165,880
Financial Analyst$101,180
Budget Analyst$94,880
Tax Preparer$54,480
Tax Examiner and Collector$80,720
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$49,560

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Accounting Degree in Illinois?

Choosing a program in Illinois can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Illinois offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Illinois economy and job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online accounting programs in Illinois accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Accounting pay in Illinois compare to other states?

Illinois offers competitive wages for accounting professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Illinois a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for accounting in Illinois?

The Illinois Board of Accountancy oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Illinois. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Accounting Programs by City in Illinois

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Addison · Algonquin · Alton · Arlington Heights · Aurora · Bartlett · Batavia · Belleville · Belvidere · Berwyn · Bloomingdale · Bloomington · Blue Island · Bolingbrook · Braidwood · Buffalo Grove · Burbank · Calumet City · Carbondale · Carol Stream · Carpentersville · Champaign · Charleston · Chicago · Chicago Heights · Cicero · Collinsville · Crest Hill · Crystal Lake · Danville · Darien · Decatur · DeKalb · Des Plaines · Dolton · Downers Grove · East Moline · East Peoria · East Saint Louis · Edwardsville · Elgin · Elk Grove Village · Elmhurst · Elmwood Park · Evanston · Freeport · Galesburg · Geneva · Glen Ellyn · Glendale Heights · Glenview · Granite City · Grayslake · Gurnee · Hanover Park · Harvey · Highland Park · Hoffman Estates · Homer Glen · Huntley · Jacksonville · Joliet · Kankakee · Lake in the Hills · Lansing · Libertyville · Lisle · Lockport · Lombard · Loves Park · Machesney Park · Maywood · McHenry · Melrose Park · Mokena · Moline · Morton Grove · Mount Prospect · Mundelein · Naperville · New Lenox · Niles · Normal · North Chicago · Northbrook · O · Oak Forest · Oak Lawn · Oak Park · Orland Park · Oswego · Ottawa · Palatine · Park Forest · Park Ridge · Pekin · Peoria · Peru · Plainfield · Quincy · Rock Island · Rockford · Rolling Meadows · Romeoville · Roselle · Round Lake Beach · Schaumburg · Skokie · South Holland · Springfield · Saint Charles · Sterling · Streamwood · Tinley Park · Urbana · Vernon Hills · Villa Park · Waukegan · West Chicago · Westmont · Wheaton · Wheeling · Wilmette · Woodridge · Woodstock · Zion


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