Best Online Healthcare Programs in DeKalb, IL (2026)
DeKalb, Illinois has a population of about 40,464. The city’s median household income is $46,564 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of DeKalb, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $25,508 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 DeKalb
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from DeKalb city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 17.6 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL | 26.7 mi | $16,699 - $25,508 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near DeKalb
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,464 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,564 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in DeKalb County | 5,124 workers, 174 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other DeKalb-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Geneva, IL – 22.1 mi away (21,880 pop)
- Saint Charles, IL – 22.5 mi away (32,717 pop)
- Huntley, IL – 22.7 mi away (26,611 pop)
- Elgin, IL – 23.1 mi away (112,123 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 23.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near DeKalb, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of DeKalb. The closest is Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College (26.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near DeKalb?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near DeKalb 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 Geneva instead of DeKalb?
Geneva, IL is 22.1 miles from DeKalb 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 DeKalb an affordable place to study healthcare?
DeKalb’s median household income of $46,564 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in DeKalb 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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