Best Online Nursing Programs in Gurnee, IL (2026)
Gurnee, Illinois has a population of about 30,486. The city’s median household income is $121,410 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 54.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Gurnee, 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 Gurnee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Gurnee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Career College | Gurnee, IL | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | Kenosha, WI | 15.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 21.0 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Gurnee
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,486 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $121,410 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 54.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Lake County | 16,809 workers, 103 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Gurnee-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Waukegan, IL – 3.4 mi away (88,182 pop)
- Grayslake, IL – 5.3 mi away (20,831 pop)
- North Chicago, IL – 5.5 mi away (29,951 pop)
- Libertyville, IL – 6.0 mi away (20,405 pop)
- Round Lake Beach, IL – 7.3 mi away (286,350 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Gurnee, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Gurnee. The closest is State Career College in Gurnee, IL (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is William Rainey Harper College (21.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Gurnee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Gurnee 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 Waukegan instead of Gurnee?
Waukegan, IL is 3.4 miles from Gurnee 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 Gurnee an affordable place to study nursing?
Gurnee’s median household income of $121,410 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gurnee 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.