Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Maricopa, AZ (2026)
Maricopa, Arizona has a population of about 62,986. The city’s median household income is $94,208 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Maricopa, 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 Maricopa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Maricopa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American InterContinental University System | Chandler, AZ | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Brookline College-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | 21.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Chandler, AZ | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | 22.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Mountain Community College | Phoenix, AZ | 23.3 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 Maricopa
Maricopa 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.
Maricopa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,986 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $94,208 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Maricopa-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Casa Grande, AZ – 17.5 mi away (57,635 pop)
- Chandler, AZ – 19.0 mi away (247,477 pop)
- Gilbert, AZ – 24.1 mi away (237,133 pop)
- Tempe, AZ – 24.2 mi away (182,498 pop)
- Goodyear, AZ – 25.0 mi away (77,258 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Maricopa, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Maricopa. The closest is American InterContinental University System in Chandler, AZ (20.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Mountain Community College (23.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Maricopa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Maricopa 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 Casa Grande instead of Maricopa?
Casa Grande, AZ is 17.5 miles from Maricopa 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 Maricopa an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Maricopa’s median household income of $94,208 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Maricopa 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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