Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Little Rock, AR (2026)
Little Rock, Arkansas has a population of about 202,739. The city’s median household income is $60,583 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Little Rock, 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 Little Rock
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Little Rock city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1.2 mi | $8,455 - $21,013 | – |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Philander Smith University | Little Rock, AR | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Arkansas | Little Rock, AR | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock, AR | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Little Rock
Little Rock is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area (BLS area code 30780). 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 | $81,680 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $91,365 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $192,910 | AR statewide | $215,783 |
| Police Supervisor | $77,290 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $86,454 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $56,780 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $63,512 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $57,610 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $64,441 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,860 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $52,416 |
| Probation Officer | $52,160 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $58,345 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $52,410 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $58,624 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $46,940 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $52,506 |
| Information Security Analyst | $77,890 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $87,125 |
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.
Little Rock at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Little Rock-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- North Little Rock, AR – 7.9 mi away (66,278 pop)
- Bryant, AR – 10.7 mi away (20,005 pop)
- Sherwood, AR – 12.4 mi away (30,657 pop)
- Benton, AR – 15.9 mi away (35,775 pop)
- Jacksonville, AR – 16.8 mi away (28,518 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Little Rock, AR?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Little Rock. The closest is University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College (5.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Little Rock?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Little Rock are: Judge or Magistrate ($192,910), Attorney ($81,680), Information Security Analyst ($77,890). 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 North Little Rock instead of Little Rock?
North Little Rock, AR is 7.9 miles from Little Rock 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 Little Rock an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Little Rock’s median household income of $60,583 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Little Rock 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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