Colleges Near DeKalb, Illinois
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving DeKalb? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 30 miles of DeKalb, Illinois.
There are at least 9 colleges serving the area, including 4 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 4 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving DeKalb, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
DeKalb, Illinois Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near DeKalb, Illinois have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 10,076 doctorates at colleges and universities near DeKalb. That was a decrease of 11% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near DeKalb, Illinois
There are at least 4 schools offering degrees near DeKalb, Illinois, and 4 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 10,793 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 5,043 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,778 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the DeKalb, Illinois area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rockford University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Rockford University. In 2024, 204 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 102 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
908
Completions By Degree
306
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Aurora University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Aurora University. In 2024, 1,298 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 924 master's degrees, and 61 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,987
Completions By Degree
2,283
Est. Online Degree Availability
65%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Judson University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Judson University. In 2024, 178 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 12 associate degrees, 82 master's degrees, and 11 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
781
Completions By Degree
283
Est. Online Degree Availability
42%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near DeKalb, Illinois
There is 1 four-year public college located near DeKalb, Illinois. About 11,408 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 4,052 degrees were completed at public colleges near DeKalb. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northern Illinois University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northern Illinois University. In 2024, 2,623 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,179 master's degrees, and 250 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,408
Completions By Degree
4,052
Est. Online Degree Availability
33%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near DeKalb, Illinois
There are 4 community colleges near DeKalb, Illinois where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 17,932 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near DeKalb, and about 3,152 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Waubonsee Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,400
Completions By Degree
997
Est. Online Degree Availability
1%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rock Valley College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,543
Completions By Degree
819
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kishwaukee College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,718
Completions By Degree
335
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Elgin Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,271
Completions By Degree
1,001
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near DeKalb, Illinois
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near DeKalb, Illinois? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at DeKalb-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $26,427. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near DeKalb is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving DeKalb, Illinois
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in DeKalb, Illinois is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving DeKalb, Illinois here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Aurora University
- Judson University
- Rockford University
- Waubonsee Community College
- Rock Valley College
- Kishwaukee College
- Elgin Community College
DeKalb, Illinois Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in DeKalb? What's the DeKalb, Illinois job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 511,545 jobs in the DeKalb, Illinois area. From 2023-2024, job growth in DeKalb was below the national average, at 0.9%. There were 62,970 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in DeKalb do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $21.5.