Best Online Healthcare Programs in Palatine, IL (2026)
Palatine, Illinois has a population of about 66,548. The city’s median household income is $95,950 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Palatine, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $12,833 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 Palatine
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Palatine city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 2.8 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago, IL | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 15.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 15.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Palatine
Palatine 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.
Palatine at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,548 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,950 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.8% | 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 Palatine-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Rolling Meadows, IL – 3.1 mi away (24,021 pop)
- Arlington Heights, IL – 3.5 mi away (75,525 pop)
- Buffalo Grove, IL – 5.4 mi away (41,346 pop)
- Wheeling, IL – 6.2 mi away (38,315 pop)
- Schaumburg, IL – 6.4 mi away (74,446 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Palatine, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Palatine. The closest is William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elgin Community College (15.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Palatine?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Palatine 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 Rolling Meadows instead of Palatine?
Rolling Meadows, IL is 3.1 miles from Palatine 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 Palatine an affordable place to study healthcare?
Palatine’s median household income of $95,950 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palatine 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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