Best Online Healthcare Programs in Braidwood, IL (2026)
Braidwood, Illinois has a population of about 6,175. The city’s median household income is $83,365 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Braidwood, with tuition ranging from $11,320 to $23,076 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $124,350 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Braidwood
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Braidwood city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 18.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 22.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 24.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 29.1 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Braidwood
Braidwood 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $124,350 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $120,029 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $62,970 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $60,782 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,790 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,060 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $46,660 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $45,039 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,700 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,104 |
| Epidemiologist | $100,200 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,718 |
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.
Braidwood at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,175 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,365 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Will County | 28,226 workers, 1,595 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Braidwood-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Joliet, IL – 17.7 mi away (148,262 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 21.1 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Crest Hill, IL – 21.7 mi away (21,169 pop)
- Kankakee, IL – 22.0 mi away (78,682 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 24.2 mi away (42,933 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Braidwood, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Braidwood. The closest is Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL (15.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Governors State University (29.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Braidwood?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Braidwood are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($124,350), Epidemiologist ($100,200), Healthcare Social Worker ($74,700). 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 Joliet instead of Braidwood?
Joliet, IL is 17.7 miles from Braidwood and has its own set of local healthcare programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Braidwood an affordable place to study healthcare?
Braidwood’s median household income of $83,365 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Braidwood 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
Back to Best Online Healthcare Programs in Illinois (2026)
Return to Best Online Healthcare Programs in Illinois (2026)