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Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois

24 Schools Ranked
$25,427 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. This report analyzed 24 schools in Illinois to see which ones had the most popular online graduate certificate programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago, Illinois
821 Total Awards
$17,552 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named DeVry University - Illinois the most popular school in Illinois for students working on their graduate certificate. DeVry University - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 821 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on DeVry University - Illinois

#2

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
80 Total Awards
$13,839 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend University of St Francis. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in Joliet, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 80 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of St Francis

#3

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
80 Total Awards
$9,378 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Concordia University, Chicago is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 80 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Report

#4

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois
87 Total Awards

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Olivet Nazarene University is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 87 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Olivet Nazarene University

#5

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
134 Total Awards
$12,096 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at National Louis University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Illinois. National Louis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 134 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on National Louis University

71 Total Awards
$14,090 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Chamberlain University - Illinois did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Chamberlain - Illinois is a private for-profit institution located in Addison, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 71 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Chamberlain - Illinois are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Chamberlain University - Illinois Report

#7

Rush University

Chicago, Illinois
41 Total Awards

With a ranking of #7, Rush University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#8

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois
39 Total Awards
$14,960 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Lewis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Romeoville, Illinois, and it awarded 39 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Lewis University

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
39 Total Awards
$12,182 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Illinois University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate programs. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 39 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#10

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois
32 Total Awards
$17,400 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, Bradley University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Bradley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 32 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

Around 95% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Bradley University

#11

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
26 Total Awards
$11,111 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,872 Avg Student Debt

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, the small public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,872 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.

Around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Report

#12

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
16 Total Awards
$32,800 Average Tuition & Fees

Elmhurst University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 64% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Elmhurst University

#13

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
45 Total Awards
$17,277 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of Illinois at Chicago

#14

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
226 Total Awards
$56,567 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,679 Avg Student Debt

Northwestern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 226 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Graduate Certificate recipients from Northwestern accumulate an average of $21,679 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 2% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Northwestern University Report

11 Total Awards
$36,765 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate. RFUMS is located in North Chicago, Illinois and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 18% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, Illinois
36 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 36 students in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#17

Moody Bible Institute

Chicago, Illinois
5 Total Awards
$9,270 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,032 Avg Student Debt

Moody Bible Institute ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $18,032 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 66% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

3 Total Awards
$13,929 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #18 on the list. Northern Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lisle, Illinois. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 3 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#19

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
5 Total Awards
$9,728 Average Tuition & Fees

Chicago State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2019-2020 year, about 27% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Chicago State University

#20

Erikson Institute

Chicago, Illinois
12 Total Awards
$20,588 Average Tuition & Fees

Erikson Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #20 on the list. The Erikson Institute is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

In 2019-2020 about 69% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Erikson Institute

1 Total Awards
$8,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is located in Peoria, Illinois and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Report

#22

Methodist College

Peoria, Illinois
$16,590 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #22, Methodist College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate.

Around 95% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Methodist College

#22

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
14 Total Awards

McKendree University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in Illinois ranking. McKendree University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 14 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2019-2020 about 68% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

With a ranking of #22, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their graduate certificate.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Lake Forest Graduate School of Management Report

Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

View Most Popular Online Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 24 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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