Best Online Healthcare Programs in Chicago Heights, IL (2026)
Chicago Heights, Illinois has a population of about 26,938. The city’s median household income is $57,479 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Chicago Heights, with tuition ranging from $5,093 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 Chicago Heights
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Chicago Heights city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 6.0 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 7.8 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Fox College | Tinley Park, IL | 8.6 mi | $17,190 - $21,635 | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Chicago Heights
Chicago Heights 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.
Chicago Heights at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,479 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Cook County | 384,200 workers, 15,350 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Chicago Heights-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Park Forest, IL – 3.3 mi away (21,785 pop)
- Lansing, IL – 5.9 mi away (28,086 pop)
- South Holland, IL – 6.3 mi away (21,817 pop)
- Harvey, IL – 6.8 mi away (24,947 pop)
- Munster, IN – 7.2 mi away (22,825 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Chicago Heights, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Chicago Heights. The closest is Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Chicago State University (14.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Chicago Heights?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Chicago Heights 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 Park Forest instead of Chicago Heights?
Park Forest, IL is 3.3 miles from Chicago Heights 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 Chicago Heights an affordable place to study healthcare?
Chicago Heights’s median household income of $57,479 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chicago Heights 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
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