Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Yuma, AZ (2026)
Yuma, Arizona has a population of about 98,461. The city’s median household income is $62,546 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Yuma, with tuition ranging from $1,126 to $12,466 per year. In the Yuma, AZ metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $122,180 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Yuma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Yuma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Western College | Yuma, AZ | 6.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA | 57.8 mi | $1,126 - $12,466 | – |
| Palo Verde College | Blythe, CA | 73.8 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 Yuma
Yuma is part of the Yuma, AZ metro area (BLS area code 49740). 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 | $122,180 | Yuma, AZ | $131,802 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | AZ statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $102,510 | Yuma, AZ | $110,583 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $95,640 | Yuma, AZ | $103,172 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $65,690 | Yuma, AZ | $70,863 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,070 | Yuma, AZ | $52,934 |
| Probation Officer | $52,510 | Yuma, AZ | $56,645 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $60,620 | AZ statewide | $65,394 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,310 | Yuma, AZ | $63,981 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,070 | Yuma, AZ | $109,029 |
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.
Yuma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,461 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,546 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Yuma-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- San Luis, AZ – 12.0 mi away (30,366 pop)
- Calexico, CA – 55.3 mi away (40,232 pop)
- El Centro, CA – 60.1 mi away (111,733 pop)
- Brawley, CA – 62.7 mi away (26,231 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Yuma, AZ?
Our directory lists 3 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Yuma. The closest is Arizona Western College in Yuma, AZ (6.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Palo Verde College (73.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Yuma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Yuma are: Attorney ($122,180), Police Supervisor ($102,510), Information Security Analyst ($101,070). 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 San Luis instead of Yuma?
San Luis, AZ is 12.0 miles from Yuma 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 Yuma an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Yuma’s median household income of $62,546 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Yuma 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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