Best Online Nursing Programs in Vernon Hills, IL (2026)
Vernon Hills, Illinois has a population of about 26,772. The city’s median household income is $120,625 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 66.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Vernon Hills, 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 Vernon Hills
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Vernon Hills city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Lake County | Grayslake, IL | 8.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State Career College | Gurnee, IL | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 11.9 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Americare Technical School | Park Ridge, IL | 16.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills 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.
Vernon Hills at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,772 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $120,625 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 66.6% | 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 Vernon Hills-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Mundelein, IL – 3.5 mi away (31,475 pop)
- Libertyville, IL – 3.7 mi away (20,405 pop)
- Buffalo Grove, IL – 4.6 mi away (41,346 pop)
- Wheeling, IL – 7.4 mi away (38,315 pop)
- North Chicago, IL – 7.7 mi away (29,951 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Vernon Hills, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Vernon Hills. The closest is College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL (8.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Americare Technical School (16.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Vernon Hills?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Vernon Hills 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 Mundelein instead of Vernon Hills?
Mundelein, IL is 3.5 miles from Vernon Hills 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 Vernon Hills an affordable place to study nursing?
Vernon Hills’s median household income of $120,625 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Vernon Hills 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.