Best Online Nursing Programs in Bloomington, IL (2026)
Bloomington, Illinois has a population of about 78,703. The city’s median household income is $75,449 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 48.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Bloomington, with tuition ranging from $4,650 to $17,251 per year. In the Bloomington, IL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $129,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Bloomington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Bloomington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heartland Community College | Normal, IL | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | 33.0 mi | $4,650 - $17,251 | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 41.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 42.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Bloomington
Bloomington is part of the Bloomington, IL metro area (BLS area code 14010). 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | Bloomington, IL | $85,626 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,400 | Bloomington, IL | $67,807 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $114,420 | IL statewide | $122,374 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | Bloomington, IL | $138,257 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,770 | Bloomington, IL | $42,535 |
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.
Bloomington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,703 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $75,449 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 48.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in McLean County | 4,309 workers, 25 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Bloomington-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Normal, IL – 3.3 mi away (54,264 pop)
- East Peoria, IL – 33.0 mi away (22,939 pop)
- Pekin, IL – 35.1 mi away (33,038 pop)
- Peoria, IL – 38.9 mi away (265,218 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 42.9 mi away (89,653 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Bloomington, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Bloomington. The closest is Illinois State University in Normal, IL (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Parkland College (42.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Bloomington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Bloomington are: Nurse Practitioner ($129,270), Nurse Midwife ($114,420), Registered Nurse ($80,060). 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 Normal instead of Bloomington?
Normal, IL is 3.3 miles from Bloomington and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Bloomington an affordable place to study nursing?
Bloomington’s median household income of $75,449 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bloomington 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.