Best Online Nursing Programs in Park Ridge, IL (2026)
Park Ridge, Illinois has a population of about 39,241. The city’s median household income is $138,059 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 65.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Park Ridge, with tuition ranging from $3,822 to $14,880 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 Park Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Park Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americare Technical School | Park Ridge, IL | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 6.8 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 12.6 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Park Ridge
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,241 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $138,059 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 65.1% | 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 Park Ridge-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Niles, IL – 2.0 mi away (29,617 pop)
- Des Plaines, IL – 3.3 mi away (58,141 pop)
- Morton Grove, IL – 3.5 mi away (23,227 pop)
- Glenview, IL – 5.0 mi away (47,475 pop)
- Skokie, IL – 5.6 mi away (64,270 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Park Ridge, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Park Ridge. The closest is Americare Technical School in Park Ridge, IL (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is William Rainey Harper College (12.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Park Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Park Ridge 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 Niles instead of Park Ridge?
Niles, IL is 2.0 miles from Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge an affordable place to study nursing?
Park Ridge’s median household income of $138,059 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Park Ridge 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.