Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Avondale, AZ (2026)
Avondale, Arizona has a population of about 90,644. The city’s median household income is $81,260 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Avondale, with tuition ranging from $2,358 to $17,872 per year. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $135,600 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Avondale
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Avondale city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 14.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Mountain Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 16.7 mi | $2,358 - $17,872 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Avondale
Avondale is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $135,600 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $131,268 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | AZ statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $114,520 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $110,862 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $94,970 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $91,936 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $91,600 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $88,674 |
| Correctional Officer | $56,060 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $54,269 |
| Probation Officer | $61,140 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $59,187 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,420 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $60,426 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $62,700 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $60,697 |
| Information Security Analyst | $130,390 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $126,225 |
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.
Avondale at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,644 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $81,260 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Avondale-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Goodyear, AZ – 8.9 mi away (77,258 pop)
- El Mirage, AZ – 14.2 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Glendale, AZ – 14.6 mi away (245,895 pop)
- Phoenix, AZ – 18.7 mi away (4,054,083 pop)
- Buckeye, AZ – 18.7 mi away (64,629 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Avondale, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Avondale. The closest is Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ (6.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Mountain Community College (16.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Avondale?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Avondale are: Attorney ($135,600), Information Security Analyst ($130,390), Police Supervisor ($114,520). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Goodyear instead of Avondale?
Goodyear, AZ is 8.9 miles from Avondale and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Avondale an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Avondale’s median household income of $81,260 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Avondale while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona 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
- Online Criminal Justice Programs in Arizona
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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