Best Online Nursing Programs in Blue Island, IL (2026)
Blue Island, Illinois has a population of about 23,416. The city’s median household income is $60,965 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Blue Island, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $12,683 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $131,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Blue Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Blue Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 4.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 9.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| CAAN Academy of Nursing | Matteson, IL | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Morton College | Cicero, IL | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Blue Island
Blue Island 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,480 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $93,127 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $72,920 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $70,386 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $110,090 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $106,264 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,690 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $127,114 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,050 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,450 |
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.
Blue Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,416 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,965 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Cook County | 166,621 workers, 764 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Blue Island-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Harvey, IL – 3.8 mi away (24,947 pop)
- Dolton, IL – 4.8 mi away (22,891 pop)
- Oak Forest, IL – 5.2 mi away (27,792 pop)
- Oak Lawn, IL – 5.4 mi away (56,257 pop)
- South Holland, IL – 5.8 mi away (21,817 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Blue Island, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Blue Island. The closest is South Suburban College in South Holland, IL (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Morton College (12.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Blue Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Blue Island are: Nurse Practitioner ($131,690), Nurse Midwife ($110,090), Registered Nurse ($96,480). 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 Harvey instead of Blue Island?
Harvey, IL is 3.8 miles from Blue Island 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 Blue Island an affordable place to study nursing?
Blue Island’s median household income of $60,965 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Blue Island 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.