Best Online Healthcare Programs in Pekin, IL (2026)
Pekin, Illinois has a population of about 31,812. The city’s median household income is $58,355 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Pekin, with tuition ranging from $4,650 to $17,251 per year. In the Peoria, IL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $114,140 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Pekin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Pekin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | 11.2 mi | $4,650 - $17,251 | – |
| Methodist College | Peoria, IL | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spoon River College | Canton, IL | 23.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 32.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Pekin
Pekin is part of the Peoria, IL metro area (BLS area code 37900). 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 | $114,140 | Peoria, IL | $125,154 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $78,800 | Peoria, IL | $86,404 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,120 | Peoria, IL | $52,763 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $42,680 | Peoria, IL | $46,798 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $50,970 | Peoria, IL | $55,888 |
| Epidemiologist | $99,220 | IL statewide | $108,794 |
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.
Pekin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,812 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,355 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Tazewell County | 4,339 workers, 229 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Pekin-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- East Peoria, IL – 8.6 mi away (22,939 pop)
- Peoria, IL – 12.7 mi away (265,218 pop)
- Normal, IL – 33.7 mi away (54,264 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 35.1 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Galesburg, IL – 47.3 mi away (34,620 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Pekin, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Pekin. The closest is Bradley University in Peoria, IL (9.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Heartland Community College (32.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Pekin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Pekin are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($114,140), Epidemiologist ($99,220), Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar ($78,800). 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 East Peoria instead of Pekin?
East Peoria, IL is 8.6 miles from Pekin 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 Pekin an affordable place to study healthcare?
Pekin’s median household income of $58,355 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pekin 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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