Best Online Healthcare Programs in Rockford, IL (2026)
Rockford, Illinois has a population of about 147,649. The city’s median household income is $53,328 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rockford, with tuition ranging from $16,699 to $25,508 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning healthcare-related role is Medical and Health Services Manager at a median $109,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Healthcare Schools to Rockford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Rockford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | Rockford, IL | 1.9 mi | $16,699 - $25,508 | – |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 4.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| First Class Cosmetology School | Beloit, WI | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Rockford
Rockford is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $109,790 | Rockford, IL | $119,078 |
| Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar | $49,290 | Rockford, IL | $53,460 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $52,070 | Rockford, IL | $56,475 |
| Medical Secretary or Administrative Assistant | $40,250 | Rockford, IL | $43,655 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $66,800 | Rockford, IL | $72,451 |
| Epidemiologist | $99,220 | IL statewide | $107,614 |
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.
Rockford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,328 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Winnebago County | 23,841 workers, 544 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Rockford-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 6.3 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 7.7 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 10.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 18.4 mi away (63,470 pop)
- DeKalb, IL – 28.0 mi away (67,501 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Rockford, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Rockford. The closest is Rasmussen University-Illinois in Rockford, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kishwaukee College (24.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Rockford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Rockford are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($109,790), Epidemiologist ($99,220), Healthcare Social Worker ($66,800). 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 Loves Park instead of Rockford?
Loves Park, IL is 6.3 miles from Rockford 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 Rockford an affordable place to study healthcare?
Rockford’s median household income of $53,328 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rockford 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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