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. Our directory has 83 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Park Ridge, with tuition ranging from $4,920 to $14,880 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 83 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near Park Ridge. 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 | 6.7 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| North Park University | Chicago, IL | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dominican University | River Forest, IL | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Chicago | River Forest, IL | 8.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | 9.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oak Point University | Oak Brook, IL | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
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 schools are near Park Ridge, IL?
Our directory has 83 accredited schools offering nursing programs near Park Ridge. The closest is Americare Technical School in Park Ridge, IL (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Oak Point University (12.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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.
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.