Best Online Education Programs in Rock Island, IL (2026)
Rock Island, Illinois has a population of about 36,758. The city’s median household income is $57,292 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Rock Island. In the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $107,380 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Rock Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Rock Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 4.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 66.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 87.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Rock Island
Rock Island is part of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area (BLS area code 19340). 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 | $62,410 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $70,045 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,540 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $66,824 |
| Middle School Teacher | $60,740 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $68,171 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $48,480 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $54,411 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $107,380 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $120,516 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $80,850 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $90,741 |
| Tutor | $30,430 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,153 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $57,910 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $64,994 |
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.
Rock Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,758 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,292 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Rock Island County | 1,529 workers, 33 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rock Island-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Moline, IL – 4.8 mi away (42,250 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 6.0 mi away (288,233 pop)
- Bettendorf, IA – 8.6 mi away (35,727 pop)
- East Moline, IL – 10.7 mi away (21,135 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 25.4 mi away (26,481 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Rock Island, IL?
Our directory lists 3 education programs within 100 miles of Rock Island. The closest is Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA (4.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Wisconsin-Platteville (87.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Rock Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Rock Island are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($107,380), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($80,850), Secondary School Teacher ($62,410). 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 Moline instead of Rock Island?
Moline, IL is 4.8 miles from Rock Island 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 Rock Island an affordable place to study education?
Rock Island’s median household income of $57,292 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rock Island 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.