Best Online Social Work Programs in Sterling, IL (2026)

Sterling, Illinois has 5 accredited schools offering social work programs, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $48,380 per year for indexed programs. Sterling has a population of about 14,670. Median household income is $52,647 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Illinois, the top-earning social work-related role is Social and Community Service Manager at a median $78,380 annually (BLS, May 2025).

Closest Social Work Schools to Sterling

The 5 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 5 schools in our directory that offer social work programs near Sterling. Distances are calculated from Sterling city center.

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois social work page.

Social Work Wages Near Sterling

Source: BLS, May 2025 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.

Sterling at a Glance

Other Sterling-Area Cities With Social Work Programs

• Clinton, IA – 28.3 mi away (30,930 pop)
• Freeport, IL – 34.0 mi away (24,717 pop)
• East Moline, IL – 40.6 mi away (21,135 pop)
• Peru, IL – 42.6 mi away (30,795 pop)
• Bettendorf, IA – 43.4 mi away (35,727 pop)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited social work schools are near Sterling, IL?

Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering social work programs near Sterling. The closest is Saint Ambrose University in Davenport, IA (49.1 miles), and the farthest of the schools shown is Loras College (70.2 miles). 5 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.

What are the highest-paying social work roles in Illinois?

Based on BLS May 2025 state wage data, the top-paying social work-related roles in Illinois are: Social and Community Service Manager ($78,380), Healthcare Social Worker ($64,270), Social Worker, All Other ($64,030). Wages for Sterling workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Clinton instead of Sterling?

Clinton, IA is 28.3 miles from Sterling and has its own set of local social work programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Sterling an affordable place to study social work?

Sterling’s median household income of $52,647 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sterling 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.

Learn More About Social Work Programs

• Social Work accreditation: what to look for
• Social Work concentrations and specializations
• Is a Social Work degree worth it?
• Main Social Work degree guide
• Online Social Work programs in Illinois
• Social Work programs by state

Other Programs Available in Sterling

Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Sterling:

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Data verified: June 11, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; 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.