Best Online Nursing Programs in Oswego, IL (2026)
Oswego, Illinois has a population of about 35,463. The city’s median household income is $119,881 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Oswego, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $14,661 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 Oswego
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Oswego city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 9.9 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| Lewis University | Romeoville, IL | 14.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Francis | Joliet, IL | 16.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Oswego
Oswego 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.
Oswego at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,463 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $119,881 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Oswego-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Aurora, IL – 6.1 mi away (201,110 pop)
- Plainfield, IL – 7.3 mi away (42,933 pop)
- Naperville, IL – 10.0 mi away (147,122 pop)
- Batavia, IL – 11.6 mi away (26,391 pop)
- Bolingbrook, IL – 12.2 mi away (74,518 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Oswego, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Oswego. The closest is Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL (9.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of DuPage (17.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Oswego?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Oswego 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 Aurora instead of Oswego?
Aurora, IL is 6.1 miles from Oswego 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 Oswego an affordable place to study nursing?
Oswego’s median household income of $119,881 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Oswego 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.