Best Online Healthcare Programs in Kankakee, IL (2026)
Kankakee, Illinois has a population of about 24,384. The city’s median household income is $45,119 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Kankakee, with tuition ranging from $11,320 to $23,076 per year. In the Kankakee, IL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $99,710 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Kankakee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Kankakee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 25.2 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 31.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 31.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Kankakee
Kankakee is part of the Kankakee, IL metro area (BLS area code 28100). 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 | $99,710 | Kankakee, IL | $103,434 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $60,760 | IL statewide | $63,029 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,720 | Kankakee, IL | $56,763 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $36,570 | Kankakee, IL | $37,936 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,950 | Kankakee, IL | $66,338 |
| Epidemiologist | $99,220 | IL statewide | $102,925 |
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.
Kankakee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,384 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,119 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Kankakee County | 7,757 workers, 235 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Kankakee-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Braidwood, IL – 22.0 mi away (22,563 pop)
- Park Forest, IL – 27.8 mi away (21,785 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 28.6 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Mokena, IL – 29.8 mi away (20,097 pop)
- Chicago Heights, IL – 30.6 mi away (30,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Kankakee, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Kankakee. The closest is Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of St Francis (31.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Kankakee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Kankakee are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($99,710), Epidemiologist ($99,220), Healthcare Social Worker ($63,950). 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 Braidwood instead of Kankakee?
Braidwood, IL is 22.0 miles from Kankakee 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 Kankakee an affordable place to study healthcare?
Kankakee’s median household income of $45,119 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kankakee 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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