Best Online Nursing Programs in Wheeling, IL (2026)
Wheeling, Illinois has a population of about 38,495. The city’s median household income is $83,251 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Wheeling, 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 Wheeling
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Wheeling city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 8.2 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Americare Technical School | Park Ridge, IL | 9.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chamberlain University-Illinois | Addison, IL | 13.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ambria College of Nursing | Hoffman Estates, IL | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Wheeling
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,495 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,251 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Cook County | 166,621 workers, 764 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Wheeling-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Buffalo Grove, IL – 3.2 mi away (41,346 pop)
- Arlington Heights, IL – 3.9 mi away (75,525 pop)
- Northbrook, IL – 4.5 mi away (33,421 pop)
- Mount Prospect, IL – 4.6 mi away (54,171 pop)
- Palatine, IL – 6.2 mi away (68,766 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Wheeling, IL?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Wheeling. The closest is Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL (5.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ambria College of Nursing (15.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Wheeling?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Wheeling 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 Buffalo Grove instead of Wheeling?
Buffalo Grove, IL is 3.2 miles from Wheeling 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 Wheeling an affordable place to study nursing?
Wheeling’s median household income of $83,251 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wheeling 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.