Best Online Nursing Programs in Buffalo Grove, IL (2026)
Buffalo Grove, Illinois has a population of about 42,824. The city’s median household income is $129,820 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 66.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 87 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Buffalo Grove, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $14,880 per year for indexed programs. 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 Buffalo Grove
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 87 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Buffalo Grove. Distances are calculated from Buffalo Grove city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 8.2 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago, IL | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Americare Technical School | Park Ridge, IL | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ambria College of Nursing | Hoffman Estates, IL | 14.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State Career College | Gurnee, IL | 14.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 18.4 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| North Park University | Chicago, IL | 18.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,824 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $129,820 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 66.6% | 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 Buffalo Grove-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Wheeling, IL – 3.2 mi away (38,315 pop)
- Vernon Hills, IL – 4.6 mi away (26,328 pop)
- Arlington Heights, IL – 5.1 mi away (75,525 pop)
- Palatine, IL – 5.4 mi away (68,766 pop)
- Northbrook, IL – 7.0 mi away (33,421 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Buffalo Grove, IL?
Our directory has 87 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Buffalo Grove. The closest is William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL (8.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Park University (18.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Buffalo Grove?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Buffalo Grove 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 Wheeling instead of Buffalo Grove?
Wheeling, IL is 3.2 miles from Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove an affordable place to study nursing?
Buffalo Grove’s median household income of $129,820 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Buffalo Grove 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.