Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Glendale, AZ (2026)
Glendale, Arizona has a population of about 250,193. The city’s median household income is $70,139 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Glendale. 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 Glendale
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Glendale city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Community College | Glendale, AZ | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Arizona | Phoenix, AZ | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 7.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale, AZ | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix, AZ | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Glendale
Glendale 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.
Glendale at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,193 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,139 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Glendale-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- El Mirage, AZ – 5.9 mi away (35,043 pop)
- Phoenix, AZ – 7.8 mi away (4,054,083 pop)
- Avondale, AZ – 14.6 mi away (214,235 pop)
- Peoria, AZ – 14.8 mi away (164,173 pop)
- Surprise, AZ – 14.8 mi away (132,677 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Glendale, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Glendale. The closest is Glendale Community College in Glendale, AZ (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Phoenix College (10.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Glendale?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Glendale 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 El Mirage instead of Glendale?
El Mirage, AZ is 5.9 miles from Glendale 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 Glendale an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Glendale’s median household income of $70,139 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Glendale 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Arizona (2026)
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