Best Online Education Programs in Aurora, IL (2026)
Aurora, Illinois has a population of about 179,867. The city’s median household income is $90,109 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Aurora, with tuition ranging from $20,325 to $47,066 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $126,800 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Aurora
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Aurora city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 26.9 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
| DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 35.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 36.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 78.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Aurora
Aurora 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $80,440 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,645 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $75,020 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,413 |
| Middle School Teacher | $75,690 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $73,060 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $60,590 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $58,485 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $126,800 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $122,394 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $99,260 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $95,811 |
| Tutor | $35,490 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,257 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,820 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,602 |
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.
Aurora at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,867 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,109 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Kane County | 4,250 workers, 179 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Aurora-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Batavia, IL – 6.0 mi away (26,391 pop)
- Oswego, IL – 6.1 mi away (34,571 pop)
- Naperville, IL – 6.5 mi away (147,122 pop)
- Geneva, IL – 8.4 mi away (21,880 pop)
- West Chicago, IL – 9.7 mi away (27,221 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Aurora, IL?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Aurora. The closest is Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL (26.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (78.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Aurora?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Aurora are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($126,800), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($99,260), Secondary School Teacher ($80,440). 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 Batavia instead of Aurora?
Batavia, IL is 6.0 miles from Aurora and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Aurora an affordable place to study education?
Aurora’s median household income of $90,109 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Aurora 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.