2025 Guide to Top Online Colleges Near Columbia, Illinois
Looking for information about the best online colleges and universities serving Columbia? Here's your guide to the top schools offering online degrees to students in the area, including
institutions located within 20 miles of Columbia, Illinois.
There are at least 16 colleges
serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 11 nonprofit online colleges, 2 for-profit online colleges, and 0 community colleges offering 2-year online degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of online colleges serving Columbia, with details about trends, school type, online degree offerings, and online program completions. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Columbia, Illinois Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near
Columbia, Illinois have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed
5,498 distance education degree programs at online colleges and
universities near Columbia. That was a decrease of 7% from completions reported in
2019.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2023
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
2019:5894
2020:5747
2021:6409
2022:5919
2023:5498
Estimate derived from 2023 Lightcast™ completion data.
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students 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 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Adult Students
77%
Students 25+ 77
Students Under 25 23
Source: College Scorecard 2022
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Columbia, Illinois
There are at least 11 nonprofit 4-year
schools serving Columbia, Illinois, where students completed
5,979 distance education
degree programs. Of those schools, 11 were private nonprofit
institutions and 2 were public schools. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges
serving Columbia, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree
programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Source Details
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577 Accredited
Yes
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Columbia, 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 2023, 1,429 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
2,171
Associate: 88
Bachelor's: 1,429
Master's: 616
Doctoral: 38
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate69Bachelor's801Master's313Doctoral17
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate13Bachelor's106Master's31Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate1Bachelor's26Master's0Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate2Bachelor's157Master's128Doctoral15
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate3Bachelor's163Master's10Doctoral0
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's44Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's19Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's31Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's3Master's10Doctoral6
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's50Master's49Doctoral0
Eden Theological Seminary
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Eden Theological Seminary is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and all programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Eden Theological Seminary. In 2023, 20 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 7 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
27
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 20
Doctoral: 7
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's20Doctoral7
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Concordia Seminary is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Concordia Seminary. In 2023, 17 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
27%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
17
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 17
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's17Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$30,730 Accredited
Yes
Webster 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 most programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Webster University. In 2023, 1,630 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 230 bachelor's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
78%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,861
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 230
Master's: 1,630
Doctoral: 1
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's100Master's1023Doctoral0
Natural Resources and ConservationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's18Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's99Doctoral0
Communication, Journalism, and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's17Master's34Doctoral0
Social SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's12Master's44Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's42Master's45Doctoral1
Mathematics and StatisticsAssociate0Bachelor's9Master's0Doctoral0
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's33Master's93Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's26Master's68Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's12Master's0Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's21Doctoral0
Military Technologies and Applied SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's96Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's96Doctoral0
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$25,285 Accredited
Yes
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. In 2023, 30 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 2 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
8%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
32
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 30
Doctoral: 2
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's30Doctoral2
Covenant Theological Seminary
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Covenant Theological Seminary is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Covenant Theological Seminary. In 2023, 21 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
23%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
21
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 21
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's21Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$28,976 Accredited
Yes
Fontbonne 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Fontbonne University. In 2023, 112 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
40%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
117
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 112
Doctoral: 5
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's35Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's3Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's31Doctoral5
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's52Doctoral0
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$53,244 Accredited
Yes
Saint Louis 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 minimal programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Saint Louis University. In 2023, 323 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 111 master's degrees, and 4 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
12%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
438
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 323
Master's: 111
Doctoral: 4
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate0Bachelor's4Master's0Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's39Master's15Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's14Master's44Doctoral0
Transportation and Materials MovingAssociate0Bachelor's36Master's1Doctoral4
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate0Bachelor's220Master's41Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's0Doctoral0
Military Technologies and Applied SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's10Doctoral0
Aquinas Institute of Theology
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Aquinas Institute of Theology 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Aquinas Institute of Theology. In 2023, 7 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
41%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
7
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 7
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's7Doctoral0
Missouri Baptist University
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$33,122 Accredited
Yes
Missouri Baptist 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 most programs completed were offered
online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at
Missouri Baptist University. In 2023, 228 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 22 associate degrees, 182 master's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
68%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
437
Associate: 22
Bachelor's: 228
Master's: 182
Doctoral: 5
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's83Master's33Doctoral0
Health Professions and Related ProgramsAssociate13Bachelor's58Master's0Doctoral0
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate9Bachelor's12Master's0Doctoral0
Theology and Religious VocationsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's5Doctoral0
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and KinesiologyAssociate0Bachelor's10Master's25Doctoral0
Public Administration and Social Service ProfessionsAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's27Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's6Master's0Doctoral0
EducationAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's91Doctoral5
PsychologyAssociate0Bachelor's33Master's0Doctoral0
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's21Master's1Doctoral0
Philosophy and Religious StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's5Master's0Doctoral0
Washington University in St Louis
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$62,982 Accredited
Yes
Washington University in St Louis is an institutionally accredited
nonprofit 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. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Washington University in St Louis. In 2023, 824 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 13 associate degrees, 14 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
14%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
851
Associate: 13
Bachelor's: 14
Master's: 824
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Multi/Interdisciplinary StudiesAssociate13Bachelor's14Master's0Doctoral0
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's494Doctoral0
Computer and Information Sciences and Support ServicesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's18Doctoral0
Legal Professions and StudiesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's312Doctoral0
For-Profit Online Colleges Near Columbia, Illinois
Get a list of four-year for-profit online colleges and universities near Columbia, Illinois here. According to 2022 data from
the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 2 for-profit 4-year schools
near Columbia, Illinois where students completed 60 distance education degree programs.
Source Details Vatterott College-Sunset Hills
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
No
Vatterott College-Sunset Hills is a non-accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
adults and minimal programs completed were offered
online. Associate degrees are the most popular at
Vatterott College-Sunset Hills. In 2023, 22 distance education associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
29%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
22
Associate: 22
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 0
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Ponce Health Sciences University-St Louis
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
N/A Accredited
Yes
Ponce Health Sciences University-St Louis is an institutionally accredited
for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes
full-time. Most of the students are
of traditional age and all programs completed were offered
online. Master's degrees are the most popular at
Ponce Health Sciences University-St Louis. In 2023, 38 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Source: Lightcast™ 2023 (Online vs. Total Completions)
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
38
Associate: 0
Bachelor's: 0
Master's: 38
Doctoral: 0
Source: Lightcast™ 2023
Online Completions by Program Area
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
Biological and Biomedical SciencesAssociate0Bachelor's0Master's38Doctoral0
Affordable Online Colleges Near Columbia, Illinois
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree near Columbia, Illinois? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average
tuition at Columbia-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $34,845. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit
schools near Columbia is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
Accredited
Online Colleges Serving Columbia, Illinois
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college 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 near Columbia, Illinois is institutionally accredited? View a list of
institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving Columbia, Illinois here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
Accredited Online Nonprofit Colleges Serving Columbia, Illinois
- Franklin University
- Aquinas Institute of Theology
- Concordia Seminary
- Covenant Theological Seminary
- Eden Theological Seminary
- Fontbonne University
- Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
- Missouri Baptist University
- Saint Louis University
- Washington University in St Louis
- Webster University
Accredited Online For-Profit Colleges Serving Columbia, Illinois
- Ponce Health Sciences University-St Louis
Find Online Degrees Near Columbia, Illinois