Best Online Nursing Programs in Decatur, IL (2026)
Decatur, Illinois has a population of about 70,368. The city’s median household income is $50,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 30 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Decatur, with tuition ranging from $55,704 to $68,399 per year for indexed programs. In the Decatur, IL metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Practitioner at a median $116,950 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Decatur
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 30 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Decatur. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millikin University | Decatur, IL | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois | Springfield, IL | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St. John’s College-Department of Nursing | Springfield, IL | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Capital Area Career Center | Springfield, IL | 38.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 42.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL | 43.9 mi | $55,704 - $68,399 | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 45.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Decatur
Decatur is part of the Decatur, IL metro area (BLS area code 19500). 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 | $84,120 | Decatur, IL | $95,158 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,410 | Decatur, IL | $72,862 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Nurse Midwife | $114,420 | IL statewide | $129,434 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,950 | Decatur, IL | $132,296 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,800 | Decatur, IL | $46,154 |
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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Springfield, IL – 38.7 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 39.3 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 42.8 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 42.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Normal, IL – 46.1 mi away (54,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near Decatur, IL?
Our directory has 30 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Decatur. The closest is Millikin University in Decatur, IL (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Illinois State University (45.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Decatur are: Nurse Practitioner ($116,950), Nurse Midwife ($114,420), Registered Nurse ($84,120). 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 Springfield instead of Decatur?
Springfield, IL is 38.7 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study nursing?
Decatur’s median household income of $50,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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.