Best Online Education Programs in Rockford, IL (2026)
Rockford, Illinois has a population of about 147,649. The city’s median household income is $53,328 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Rockford, with tuition ranging from $20,325 to $47,066 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $96,710 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Rockford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Rockford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | 43.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 74.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trinity Christian College | Palos Heights, IL | 77.4 mi | $20,325 - $47,066 | – |
| DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 78.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 79.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois education page.
Education Wages Near Rockford
Rockford is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $74,950 | Rockford, IL | $81,291 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,970 | Rockford, IL | $66,128 |
| Middle School Teacher | $74,690 | Rockford, IL | $81,009 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $50,200 | Rockford, IL | $54,447 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $96,710 | Rockford, IL | $104,892 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $79,710 | Rockford, IL | $86,453 |
| Tutor | $29,210 | Rockford, IL | $31,681 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $62,010 | Rockford, IL | $67,256 |
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.
Rockford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,328 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Winnebago County | 1,585 workers, 72 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rockford-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 6.3 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 7.7 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 10.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 18.4 mi away (63,470 pop)
- DeKalb, IL – 28.0 mi away (67,501 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Rockford, IL?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Rockford. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Whitewater, WI (43.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Wisconsin-Platteville (79.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Rockford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Rockford are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($96,710), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($79,710), Secondary School Teacher ($74,950). 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 Loves Park instead of Rockford?
Loves Park, IL is 6.3 miles from Rockford 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 Rockford an affordable place to study education?
Rockford’s median household income of $53,328 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rockford 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.