Best Online Healthcare Programs in East Chicago, IN (2026)
East Chicago, Indiana has a population of about 26,158. The city’s median household income is $41,071 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 9.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited healthcare programs within 100 miles of East Chicago, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $12,683 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 East Chicago
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer healthcare programs. Distances are calculated from East Chicago city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 8.7 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 8.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chicago State University | Chicago, IL | 9.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Denmark College | Merrillville, IN | 13.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana healthcare page.
Healthcare Wages Near East Chicago
East Chicago 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 Indiana 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.
East Chicago at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,158 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $41,071 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 9.9% | 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 | 33,182 workers, 1,358 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other East Chicago-Area Cities With Healthcare Programs
- Hammond, IN – 2.9 mi away (77,134 pop)
- Calumet City, IL – 5.6 mi away (36,732 pop)
- Gary, IN – 6.8 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Highland, IN – 6.9 mi away (22,737 pop)
- Munster, IN – 7.5 mi away (22,825 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited healthcare programs are near East Chicago, IN?
Our directory lists 5 healthcare programs within 100 miles of East Chicago. The closest is South Suburban College in South Holland, IL (8.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Denmark College (13.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying healthcare roles near East Chicago?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying healthcare-related roles near East Chicago are: Medical and Health Services Manager ($124,350), Epidemiologist ($100,200), Healthcare Social Worker ($74,700). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hammond instead of East Chicago?
Hammond, IN is 2.9 miles from East Chicago 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 East Chicago an affordable place to study healthcare?
East Chicago’s median household income of $41,071 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in East Chicago while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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.