Colleges Near Ottawa, Illinois
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Ottawa? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 50 miles of Ottawa, Illinois.
There are at least 11 colleges serving the area, including 6 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 Ottawa, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Ottawa, Illinois Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Ottawa, Illinois have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 14,532 doctorates at colleges and universities near Ottawa. That was a decrease of 11% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
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 Ottawa, Illinois
There are at least 6 schools offering degrees near Ottawa, Illinois, and 6 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 18,474 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 9,717 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 6,459 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 Ottawa, 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 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
University of St Francis 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 University of St Francis. In 2023, 464 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 437 master's degrees, and 32 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,390
Completions By Degree
933
Est. Online Degree Availability
66%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Benedictine 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 Benedictine University. In 2023, 766 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 559 bachelor's degrees, and 15 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,026
Completions By Degree
1,340
Est. Online Degree Availability
54%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
North Central College 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 North Central College. In 2023, 663 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 126 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,304
Completions By Degree
789
Est. Online Degree Availability
16%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Lewis 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 Lewis University. In 2023, 1,138 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 5 associate degrees, 1,050 bachelor's degrees, and 8 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,650
Completions By Degree
2,201
Est. Online Degree Availability
61%
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 2023, 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
Public Colleges & Universities Near Ottawa, Illinois
There is 1 four-year public college located near Ottawa, Illinois. About 11,408 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 4,052 degrees were completed at public colleges near Ottawa. 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 2023, 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 Ottawa, Illinois
There are 4 community colleges near Ottawa, Illinois where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 17,446 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Ottawa, and about 2,934 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Illinois Valley Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,808
Completions By Degree
360
Est. Online Degree Availability
32%
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
Joliet Junior College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,520
Completions By Degree
1,242
Est. Online Degree Availability
60%
Completions by Program Area
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
Affordable Colleges Near Ottawa, Illinois
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Ottawa, Illinois? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Ottawa-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $31,603. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Ottawa 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 Ottawa, 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 Ottawa, Illinois is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Ottawa, Illinois here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Aurora University
- Benedictine University
- Lewis University
- North Central College
- University of St Francis
- Illinois Valley Community College
- Kishwaukee College
- Joliet Junior College
- Waubonsee Community College
Ottawa, Illinois Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Ottawa? What's the Ottawa, Illinois job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 1,598,290 jobs in the Ottawa, Illinois area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Ottawa was below the national average, at 0.7%. There were 196,338 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Ottawa do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $22.17.