Best Online Nursing Programs in Crystal Lake, IL (2026)
Crystal Lake, Illinois has a population of about 40,436. The city’s median household income is $105,428 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Crystal Lake, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $12,833 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 Crystal Lake
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Crystal Lake city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ambria College of Nursing | Hoffman Estates, IL | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 17.1 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, 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 Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake 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.
Crystal Lake at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,436 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $105,428 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Crystal Lake-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Lake in the Hills, IL – 3.0 mi away (28,830 pop)
- Algonquin, IL – 4.9 mi away (30,947 pop)
- Huntley, IL – 7.1 mi away (26,611 pop)
- Woodstock, IL – 7.4 mi away (25,628 pop)
- McHenry, IL – 7.6 mi away (26,611 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Crystal Lake, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Crystal Lake. The closest is McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of Lake County (18.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Crystal Lake?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Crystal Lake 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 Lake in the Hills instead of Crystal Lake?
Lake in the Hills, IL is 3.0 miles from Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake an affordable place to study nursing?
Crystal Lake’s median household income of $105,428 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Crystal Lake 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.