Best Online Nursing Programs in Oak Forest, IL (2026)
Oak Forest, Illinois has a population of about 26,888. The city’s median household income is $87,941 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Oak Forest city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAAN Academy of Nursing | Matteson, IL | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 7.1 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 8.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Morton College | Cicero, IL | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Oak Forest
Oak Forest 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.
Oak Forest at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,941 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.1% | 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 Oak Forest-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Tinley Park, IL – 3.8 mi away (56,831 pop)
- Blue Island, IL – 5.2 mi away (23,401 pop)
- Harvey, IL – 5.2 mi away (24,947 pop)
- Orland Park, IL – 5.6 mi away (58,862 pop)
- Oak Lawn, IL – 7.5 mi away (56,257 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Oak Forest, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Oak Forest. The closest is CAAN Academy of Nursing in Matteson, IL (7.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Morton College (15.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Oak Forest?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Oak Forest 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 Tinley Park instead of Oak Forest?
Tinley Park, IL is 3.8 miles from Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest an affordable place to study nursing?
Oak Forest’s median household income of $87,941 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oak Forest 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.