Best Online Business Administration Programs in Rockford, IL (2026)
Rockford, Illinois has a population of about 147,649. The city’s median household income is $53,328 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Rockford, with tuition ranging from $16,699 to $25,508 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $126,530 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Rockford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Rockford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL | 1.9 mi | $16,699 - $25,508 | – |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 4.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 26.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Rockford
Rockford is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $95,860 | Rockford, IL | $103,970 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $89,330 | Rockford, IL | $96,887 |
| Financial Manager | $126,530 | Rockford, IL | $137,234 |
| Human Resources Manager | $112,310 | Rockford, IL | $121,811 |
| Management Analyst | $95,730 | Rockford, IL | $103,829 |
| Project Management Specialist | $78,480 | Rockford, IL | $85,119 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $70,050 | Rockford, IL | $75,976 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $53,340 | Rockford, IL | $57,852 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $64,760 | Rockford, IL | $70,239 |
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.
Rockford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,328 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Winnebago County | 935 workers, 203 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rockford-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 6.3 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 7.7 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 10.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 18.4 mi away (63,470 pop)
- DeKalb, IL – 28.0 mi away (67,501 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Rockford, IL?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Rockford. The closest is Rasmussen University-Illinois in Rockford, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northern Illinois University (26.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Rockford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Rockford are: Financial Manager ($126,530), Human Resources Manager ($112,310), General and Operations Manager ($95,860). 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 Loves Park instead of Rockford?
Loves Park, IL is 6.3 miles from Rockford 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 Rockford an affordable place to study business administration?
Rockford’s median household income of $53,328 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rockford 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
Back to Best Online Business Administration Programs in Illinois (2026)
Return to Best Online Business Administration Programs in Illinois (2026)