Online ITPrograms
2027 State Guide
Best Online IT Programs in Illinois (2027)
Online IT programs in Illinois start with three degrees at three schools based here: two bachelor's degrees and one master's degree. Illinois's largest tracked IT jobs are IT managers (31,680), help desk technicians (26,060) and computer systems analysts (20,610).
- 3online programs
- $100,080network and computer systems administrator median
- 182,560computer jobs
Key Points
- Loyola University Chicago's Information Technology BA ranks first in Illinois and places #4 of 57 in our national IT bachelor’s ranking.
- Total tuition for an Illinois resident starts at $168,576.
- Illinois runs heavy in network support specialists (1.21x), IT managers (1.20x) and network architects (1.11x the U.S. share).
- Computer systems design firms in Illinois pay an average of $124,318, across 80,067 jobs.
Ordered by each program’s place in its national ranking. How we rank.
The Three Best Online IT Programs in Illinois for 2027
-
Loyola University Chicago
Information Technology BA
Working adults are the audience for the online BA in Information Technology at Loyola University Chicago, a school in Chicago, Illinois. Rolling admission and a 2.0 minimum GPA keep the entry bar practical, and students with earlier coursework can transfer up to 18 credit hours, which is six courses.
The program totals 39 credit hours and can be taken part time or full time. Sessions last eight weeks and happen entirely online, beginning in Fall I, Spring I, Summer or Fall II. Early courses introduce IT systems, networking and security. Later ones address IT management, web development, project management, Java and network administration, along with software built in an object-oriented style. A route continues beyond the bachelor's: at the 90-hour mark, students can apply to Loyola's dual BA/MS Information Technology program.
- Online tuition
- $860 per credit
- Graduation rate
- 73%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $68,9501 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 112023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
- Format
- Courses from 8 weeks
- Transfer credits
- Up to 18
- Starts
- Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Summer
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Information Technology and Management, MAS
Anyone weighing a 30-credit IT master's in Chicago, Illinois, can consider the Information Technology and Management M.A.S. at Illinois Institute of Technology. The degree takes two years, comes in person, online or hybrid, and is STEM designated.
Project work and lab instruction build skills in software development, IT infrastructure, data analytics and cybersecurity. Specialty areas run from applied data science to IT management and cybersecurity, and beyond. Individual courses reflect current directions in the field, from Applied Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning to AI for Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing Technologies. The school also carries a Center of Academic Excellence designation. Admission rules can vary, because each college and individual program may have additional requirements to apply.
- Credits
- 30
- Graduation rate
- 75%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $85,9751 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 1212023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
-
DePaul University
BS in Information Technology
At DePaul University, IT students complete three community-based service courses that solve technology problems for real companies, and the capstone builds software for nonprofit organizations. DePaul is in Chicago, and the Standard and Web Development concentrations can be completed online.
The STEM-designated program totals 192 quarter credits. Databases, internet and web technologies and security sit alongside problem solving, programming, networks and communications systems, and project management. Standard adds agile programming, content management systems and user experience design; Web Development focuses on front-end and back-end frameworks; Media Engineering supports media development, film making in particular. Career areas span consulting, database administration and programming, network security, software development and web development.
- Online tuition
- $878 per credit$168,576 total for 192 credits
- Credits
- 192quarter credits
- Graduation rate
- 68%school-wide
- Median earnings
- $58,2201 year after
- Graduates in this field
- 452023-24, all formats
- Accreditation
- HLC, CAE-CD schoolHigher Learning Commission
How Much an Online IT Degree Costs in Illinois
Published online rates at schools based in Illinois run from $860 to $878 per credit, using the in-state rate where a school charges residents less. For the one program that publish both a rate and a credit total, the full degree costs an Illinois resident $168,576, against a national median of $41,760 across every ranked program. Fees, transfer credit and rate changes move these totals, so check each school’s tuition page before you apply.
Online IT Bachelor's Degrees in Illinois
Two bachelor's programs are based in Illinois: the BS in Information Technology at DePaul University and the Information Technology BA at Loyola University Chicago. Its total tuition for an Illinois resident is $168,576, against a median of $59,580 for every bachelor's program in our rankings. Compare them with the national field in our online IT bachelor's degree rankings.
Online IT Master's Degrees in Illinois
One master's program is based in Illinois: the Information Technology and Management, MAS at Illinois Institute of Technology. Compare them with the national field in our online IT master's degree rankings.
Online IT Programs Near Illinois
Indiana has 11 programs, Missouri has seven programs, Kentucky has three programs, Iowa has two programs and Wisconsin has one program.
Illinois Programs in Our National Rankings
| Program | National ranking | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology BA, Loyola University Chicago | Bachelor's in IT | 4th of 57 |
| Information Technology and Management, MAS, Illinois Institute of Technology | CAE-CD Schools | 4th of 66 |
| Information Technology and Management, MAS, Illinois Institute of Technology | Master's in IT | 7th of 37 |
| Information Technology BA, Loyola University Chicago | CAE-CD Schools | 12th of 66 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | Bachelor's in IT | 21st of 57 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | Cheapest | 34th of 35 |
| BS in Information Technology, DePaul University | CAE-CD Schools | 48th of 66 |
IT Jobs and Salaries in Illinois
Illinois’s best-paid IT role: IT managers, at $171,730; Illinois’s lowest is $59,860, for help desk technicians. Illinois’s largest IT group: 31,680 IT managers.
| Role | Median pay | vs U.S. | Typical range | Jobs | Entry education | Salary guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | $171,730 | −2% | $105,350 to $273,500 | 31,680 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Engineer | $132,790 | −1% | $81,630 to $201,190 | 7,810 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,180 | −4% | $78,760 to $172,830 | 5,260 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Database Administrator | $104,650 | 0% | $59,990 to $163,970 | 2,340 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,570 | −4% | $60,770 to $144,790 | 20,610 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $100,080 | +1% | $65,650 to $157,800 | 9,820 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Web Developer | $84,820 | −8% | $70,650 to $128,700 | 4,310 | Bachelor's degree | Salary guide |
| Network Support Specialist | $68,530 | −10% | $47,510 to $104,950 | 6,960 | Associate's degree | Salary guide |
| Help Desk Technician | $59,860 | −3% | $40,440 to $96,040 | 26,060 | Some college, no degree | Salary guide |
Median and percentile pay and local employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Illinois statewide (Sources; BLS OEWS). Typical entry education: BLS Employment Projections. The range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Against U.S. medians, the biggest Illinois premium: network and computer systems administrators at $100,080 (+1%). Weakest in Illinois: network support specialists, at $68,530 (−10%). 1 of 9 Illinois roles out-earn the U.S. median.
Next in Illinois: computer systems analysts (20,610 jobs, $101,570) and network and computer systems administrators (9,820 jobs, $100,080). In Illinois, bachelor’s-level roles are 71% of IT jobs; Illinois students can compare online IT bachelor’s degrees. Below a bachelor’s in Illinois: help desk technicians (26,060 jobs, $59,860) and network support specialists (6,960 jobs, $68,530). For those Illinois roles, see online IT associate degrees.
IT Pay by Metro Area in Illinois
Springfield, IL pays network and systems administrators the most, at $110,600.
| Metro area | Computer jobs | Network and computer systems administrator median | Security analyst median | Help desk median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 131,320 | $103,170 | $125,310 | $60,730 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 44,190 | $88,940 | $106,420 | $60,940 |
| Peoria, IL | 5,180 | $102,630 | $132,090 | $58,680 |
| Bloomington, IL | 4,930 | $97,580 | $125,110 | $54,460 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4,470 | $83,820 | $108,280 | $55,850 |
| Springfield, IL | 3,210 | $110,600 | $96,230 | $58,610 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 2,810 | $85,080 | $95,220 | $57,720 |
| Rockford, IL | 1,780 | $92,260 | $119,400 | $54,800 |
Illinois IT Pay vs. Neighboring States
Network and computer systems administrators earn more in Illinois than in any bordering state.
IT Job Concentration in Illinois
Illinois is lightest on information security analysts (0.70x) and network and systems administrators (0.80x the U.S. share).
| IT job | Per thousand jobs | Vs. national share |
|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | 5.20 | 1.20× |
| Help Desk Technician | 4.27 | 0.93× |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 3.38 | 1.01× |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | 1.61 | 0.80× |
| Network Engineer | 1.28 | 1.11× |
| Network Support Specialist | 1.14 | 1.21× |
| Information Security Analyst | 0.86 | 0.70× |
| Web Developer | 0.71 | 1.57× |
| Database Administrator | 0.38 | 0.85× |
Employment and location quotients: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Cybersecurity Jobs in Illinois
Illinois’s labor market office projects the job to grow 20.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 340 openings a year.
Compare online cybersecurity degrees or read the security analyst salary guide.
Tech Jobs in Illinois: The Industries Behind Them
Industry employment, establishments and payroll: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023. Average pay is annual payroll divided by employment.
IT Job Growth in Illinois Through 2034
Illinois’s labor market office projects information security analysts to grow fastest, by 20.6% from 2024 to 2034, and computer user support specialists to grow slowest, at -6.9%. Across the nine IT jobs below, it expects about 6,610 openings a year, from growth and from workers who retire or change fields. Nationally, the same job is projected to grow 28.5%.
| IT job | 2024 | 2034 | Growth | Openings a year | U.S. growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Security Analyst | 4,380 | 5,280 | +20.6% | 340 | +28.5% |
| IT Manager | 27,380 | 29,840 | +9% | 2,050 | +15.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | 21,940 | 23,060 | +5.1% | 1,340 | +8.7% |
| Network Engineer | 6,420 | 6,730 | +4.8% | 340 | +11.9% |
| Web Developer | 3,340 | 3,480 | +4% | 200 | +7.6% |
| Network Support Specialist | 8,290 | 8,050 | -2.9% | 470 | +1.8% |
| Database Administrator | 2,900 | 2,790 | -3.6% | 130 | -0.6% |
| Network Administrator and Systems Administrator | 11,120 | 10,500 | -5.6% | 460 | -4.2% |
| Help Desk | 24,700 | 23,000 | -6.9% | 1,280 | -3.7% |
State projections, 2024 to 2034: Projections Central, from Illinois’s labor market information office. U.S. growth is the national projection on the same basis.
How to Choose an Online IT Program in Illinois
The lowest resident total in Illinois is $168,576, at DePaul University. Largest IT occupation: 31,680 computer and information systems managers.
Our guide to choosing by state covers cost, residency, authorization and accreditation.
Online IT Programs in Other States
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Online IT Programs in Illinois FAQ
How many online IT programs are based in Illinois?
Three fully online IT programs, at three schools: two bachelor's degrees and one master's degree. All of them are at private schools.
What is the cheapest online IT program for Illinois residents?
Among programs based in Illinois with a published rate and credit total, the lowest for an Illinois resident is $168,576, for the BS in Information Technology at DePaul University.
Which IT jobs pay best in Illinois compared with the U.S.?
Illinois pays network and systems administrators best against U.S. medians and network support specialists worst.
How many IT jobs are there in Illinois?
Illinois has 182,560 people working in computer occupations, at a $103,200 median.
What does the information sector look like in Illinois?
The information sector employs 120,174 people in Illinois, at 5,616 business locations.
Keep researching
Related Rankings and Guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state and metropolitan area estimates
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections by state (base year 2024, projected to 2034), produced by state labor market information offices
- Illinois labor market information office, long-term occupational projections
- BEA, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP), all items, 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023, by state
- NC-SARA, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement
- Program pages for each Illinois program ranked above, linked from its card