Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hot Springs, AR (2026)
Hot Springs, Arkansas has a population of about 38,023. The city’s median household income is $46,441 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hot Springs, with tuition ranging from $8,455 to $21,013 per year. In Arkansas, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $192,910 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Hot Springs
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Hot Springs city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Park College | Hot Springs, AR | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern, AR | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Henderson State University | Arkadelphia, AR | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 43.4 mi | $8,455 - $21,013 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Hot Springs
Hot Springs is part of the Hot Springs, AR metro area (BLS area code 26300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $60,410 | Hot Springs, AR | $70,490 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $192,910 | AR statewide | $225,099 |
| Police Supervisor | $58,180 | Hot Springs, AR | $67,888 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $53,460 | AR statewide | $62,380 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $45,600 | Hot Springs, AR | $53,209 |
| Correctional Officer | $40,330 | AR statewide | $47,060 |
| Probation Officer | $48,970 | AR statewide | $57,141 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $46,210 | AR statewide | $53,921 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $54,550 | Hot Springs, AR | $63,652 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,560 | AR statewide | $109,172 |
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.
Hot Springs at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,023 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,441 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Hot Springs-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Benton, AR – 27.8 mi away (35,775 pop)
- Bryant, AR – 32.9 mi away (20,005 pop)
- Little Rock, AR – 42.5 mi away (442,554 pop)
- North Little Rock, AR – 50.3 mi away (66,278 pop)
- Conway, AR – 52.0 mi away (72,360 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Hot Springs, AR?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hot Springs. The closest is National Park College in Hot Springs, AR (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Arkansas at Little Rock (43.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Hot Springs?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Hot Springs are: Judge or Magistrate ($192,910), Information Security Analyst ($93,560), Attorney ($60,410). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Benton instead of Hot Springs?
Benton, AR is 27.8 miles from Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Hot Springs’s median household income of $46,441 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hot Springs while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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