Best Online Education Programs in Ottawa, IL (2026)
Ottawa, Illinois has a population of about 18,714. The city’s median household income is $73,011 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering education programs near Ottawa, with tuition ranging from $34,290 to $46,548 per year for indexed programs. In Illinois, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $108,560 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Ottawa
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 72 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Ottawa. Distances are calculated from Ottawa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 35.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 40.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 40.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 40.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 46.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 48.0 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| DeVry University-Illinois | Lisle, IL | 48.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eureka College | Eureka, IL | 49.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Ottawa
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $77,020 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $64,160 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,800 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $60,410 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $108,560 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $95,520 |
| Tutor | $35,350 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $61,210 |
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.
Ottawa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,714 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,011 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Education-related employment in LaSalle County | 378 workers, 18 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Ottawa-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Peru, IL – 15.7 mi away (30,795 pop)
- Braidwood, IL – 32.1 mi away (22,563 pop)
- Oswego, IL – 34.3 mi away (34,571 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 36.4 mi away (42,933 pop)
- Joliet, IL – 37.2 mi away (148,262 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education schools are near Ottawa, IL?
Our directory has 72 accredited schools offering education programs near Ottawa. The closest is Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL (35.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eureka College (49.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying education-related roles in Illinois are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($108,560), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($95,520), Secondary School Teacher ($77,020). Wages for Ottawa workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Peru instead of Ottawa?
Peru, IL is 15.7 miles from Ottawa 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 Ottawa an affordable place to study education?
Ottawa’s median household income of $73,011 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ottawa 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.