Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mesa, AZ (2026)
Mesa, Arizona has a population of about 507,478. The city’s median household income is $78,779 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Mesa, with tuition ranging from $2,358 to $19,682 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 Mesa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Mesa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College | Chandler, AZ | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 8.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American InterContinental University System | Chandler, AZ | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | 12.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 13.3 mi | $2,358 - $19,682 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Mesa
Mesa 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.
Mesa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,779 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Mesa-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Gilbert, AZ – 6.5 mi away (237,133 pop)
- Apache Junction, AZ – 10.6 mi away (39,954 pop)
- Chandler, AZ – 11.3 mi away (247,477 pop)
- Queen Creek, AZ – 12.1 mi away (35,524 pop)
- Tempe, AZ – 12.4 mi away (182,498 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Mesa, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Mesa. The closest is Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, AZ (8.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Scottsdale Community College (13.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Mesa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Mesa 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 Gilbert instead of Mesa?
Gilbert, AZ is 6.5 miles from Mesa 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 Mesa an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Mesa’s median household income of $78,779 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mesa 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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