Best Online Healthcare Programs in Waukegan, IL (2026)
Waukegan, Illinois has a population of about 88,919. The city’s median household income is $70,578 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of Waukegan. 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 Waukegan
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from Waukegan city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Career College | Gurnee, IL | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago, IL | 4.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | Kenosha, WI | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | 16.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near Waukegan
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,919 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,578 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Healthcare-related employment in Lake County | 32,507 workers, 1,950 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Waukegan-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Gurnee, IL – 3.4 mi away (30,957 pop)
- North Chicago, IL – 3.7 mi away (29,951 pop)
- Zion, IL – 6.3 mi away (24,029 pop)
- Libertyville, IL – 7.5 mi away (20,405 pop)
- Grayslake, IL – 8.5 mi away (20,831 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near Waukegan, IL?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of Waukegan. The closest is State Career College in Gurnee, IL (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gateway Technical College (16.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near Waukegan?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near Waukegan 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 Gurnee instead of Waukegan?
Gurnee, IL is 3.4 miles from Waukegan 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 Waukegan an affordable place to study healthcare?
Waukegan’s median household income of $70,578 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waukegan 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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