Best Online Education Programs in Oak Park, IL (2026)
Oak Park, Illinois has a population of about 53,315. The city’s median household income is $108,026 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 72.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Oak Park, 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 Oak Park
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Park city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 15.1 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 82.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Oak Park
Oak Park 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.
Oak Park at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,315 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $108,026 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 72.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Cook County | 87,382 workers, 2,202 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Oak Park-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Elmwood Park, IL – 2.8 mi away (24,626 pop)
- Maywood, IL – 2.8 mi away (23,756 pop)
- Berwyn, IL – 3.0 mi away (55,748 pop)
- Cicero, IL – 3.3 mi away (82,992 pop)
- Melrose Park, IL – 4.0 mi away (25,229 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Oak Park, IL?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Oak Park. The closest is DePaul University in Chicago, IL (8.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (82.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Oak Park?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Oak Park 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 Elmwood Park instead of Oak Park?
Elmwood Park, IL is 2.8 miles from Oak Park 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 Oak Park an affordable place to study education?
Oak Park’s median household income of $108,026 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Park 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.