Best Online Business Administration Programs in Des Plaines, IL (2026)
Des Plaines, Illinois has a population of about 59,408. The city’s median household income is $94,303 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 38.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Des Plaines, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $21,742 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $164,470 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Des Plaines
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Des Plaines city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hebrew Theological College | Skokie, IL | 7.4 mi | $14,700 - $21,742 | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 7.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 8.8 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 9.3 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Des Plaines
Des Plaines is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $105,310 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,651 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,610 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $104,836 |
| Financial Manager | $164,470 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $158,755 |
| Human Resources Manager | $137,760 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $132,973 |
| Management Analyst | $120,140 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $115,965 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,640 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,004 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $81,210 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,388 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,030 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,770 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $67,940 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,579 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Des Plaines at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,408 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,303 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 38.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Cook County | 145,346 workers, 9,504 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Des Plaines-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Mount Prospect, IL – 2.8 mi away (54,171 pop)
- Park Ridge, IL – 3.3 mi away (37,496 pop)
- Niles, IL – 4.7 mi away (29,617 pop)
- Elk Grove Village, IL – 5.1 mi away (32,931 pop)
- Glenview, IL – 5.3 mi away (47,475 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Des Plaines, IL?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Des Plaines. The closest is Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is William Rainey Harper College (9.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Des Plaines?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Des Plaines are: Financial Manager ($164,470), Human Resources Manager ($137,760), Management Analyst ($120,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Prospect instead of Des Plaines?
Mount Prospect, IL is 2.8 miles from Des Plaines and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Des Plaines an affordable place to study business administration?
Des Plaines’s median household income of $94,303 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Des Plaines while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Illinois
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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