Best Online Nursing Programs in West Chicago, IL (2026)
West Chicago, Illinois has a population of about 25,434. The city’s median household income is $100,568 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 79 accredited schools offering nursing programs near West Chicago, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $56,447 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 West Chicago
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 79 schools in our directory that offer nursing programs near West Chicago. Distances are calculated from West Chicago city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 6.7 mi | $43,930 - $56,447 | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 8.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedictine University | Lisle, IL | 10.5 mi | $34,290 - $46,548 | – |
| Aurora University | Aurora, IL | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ambria College of Nursing | Hoffman Estates, IL | 12.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Verve College | Oak Brook, IL | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 13.9 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, IL | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near West Chicago
West Chicago 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.
West Chicago at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,434 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $100,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in DuPage County | 38,364 workers, 131 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other West Chicago-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Saint Charles, IL – 4.7 mi away (32,717 pop)
- Carol Stream, IL – 5.1 mi away (40,069 pop)
- Geneva, IL – 5.1 mi away (21,880 pop)
- Batavia, IL – 5.4 mi away (26,391 pop)
- Bartlett, IL – 5.9 mi away (41,178 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing schools are near West Chicago, IL?
Our directory has 79 accredited schools offering nursing programs near West Chicago. The closest is Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL (6.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Elmhurst University (14.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near West Chicago?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near West Chicago 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 Saint Charles instead of West Chicago?
Saint Charles, IL is 4.7 miles from West Chicago 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 West Chicago an affordable place to study nursing?
West Chicago’s median household income of $100,568 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in West Chicago 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.