Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Atwater, CA (2026)
Atwater, California has a population of about 32,013. The city’s median household income is $63,945 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Atwater. In California, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $140,660 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Atwater
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Atwater city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 7.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 18.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 44.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 57.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all California schools on the California criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Atwater
Atwater is part of the Merced, CA metro area (BLS area code 32900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to California statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $130,730 | Merced, CA | $132,991 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $120,380 | Merced, CA | $122,462 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $122,140 | CA statewide | $124,252 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $82,900 | Merced, CA | $84,334 |
| Correctional Officer | $98,550 | Merced, CA | $100,254 |
| Probation Officer | $107,050 | CA statewide | $108,901 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $96,850 | CA statewide | $98,525 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,060 | Merced, CA | $56,012 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 | CA statewide | $143,093 |
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.
Atwater at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,013 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,945 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Atwater-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Merced, CA – 7.4 mi away (143,272 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 17.7 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 24.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 26.0 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 29.6 mi away (377,755 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Atwater, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Atwater. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (7.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clovis Community College (57.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Atwater?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Atwater are: Information Security Analyst ($140,660), Attorney ($130,730), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($122,140). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with California statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Merced instead of Atwater?
Merced, CA is 7.4 miles from Atwater 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 Atwater an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Atwater’s median household income of $63,945 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Atwater while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and California 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 California
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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