Best Online Education Programs in DeKalb, IL (2026)
DeKalb, Illinois has a population of about 40,464. The city’s median household income is $46,564 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 85 accredited schools offering education programs near DeKalb, with tuition ranging from $16,699 to $25,508 per year for indexed programs. 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 DeKalb
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 85 schools in our directory that offer education programs near DeKalb. Distances are calculated from DeKalb city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 25.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | 26.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL | 26.7 mi | $16,699 - $25,508 | – |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 32.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle, IL | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near DeKalb
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,464 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,564 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in DeKalb County | 297 workers, 27 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other DeKalb-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Geneva, IL – 22.1 mi away (21,880 pop)
- Saint Charles, IL – 22.5 mi away (32,717 pop)
- Huntley, IL – 22.7 mi away (26,611 pop)
- Elgin, IL – 23.1 mi away (112,123 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 23.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near DeKalb, IL?
Our directory has 85 accredited schools offering education programs near DeKalb. The closest is Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is DeVry University-Illinois (33.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near DeKalb?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near DeKalb 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 Geneva instead of DeKalb?
Geneva, IL is 22.1 miles from DeKalb 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 DeKalb an affordable place to study education?
DeKalb’s median household income of $46,564 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in DeKalb 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.