Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Chico, CA (2026)
Chico, California has a population of about 102,032. The city’s median household income is $67,929 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chico, with tuition ranging from $1,128 to $25,590 per year. In the Chico, CA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $151,940 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Chico
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Chico city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico | Chico, CA | 2.5 mi | $8,064 - $25,590 | – |
| Butte College | Oroville, CA | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | 43.9 mi | $1,128 - $12,200 | – |
| Feather River Community College District | Quincy, CA | 46.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shasta College | Redding, CA | 65.6 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 Chico
Chico is part of the Chico, CA metro area (BLS area code 17020). 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 | $151,940 | Chico, CA | $150,138 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $126,140 | Chico, CA | $124,644 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $122,140 | CA statewide | $120,692 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $95,890 | Chico, CA | $94,753 |
| Correctional Officer | $95,840 | CA statewide | $94,704 |
| Probation Officer | $107,050 | CA statewide | $105,781 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $96,850 | CA statewide | $95,702 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,680 | Chico, CA | $49,091 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 | CA statewide | $138,992 |
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.
Chico at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,032 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,929 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chico-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Paradise, CA – 11.1 mi away (35,163 pop)
- Oroville, CA – 22.2 mi away (45,445 pop)
- Yuba City, CA – 44.0 mi away (120,159 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 54.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
- Redding, CA – 63.2 mi away (120,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Chico, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chico. The closest is California State University-Chico in Chico, CA (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shasta College (65.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Chico?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Chico are: Attorney ($151,940), Information Security Analyst ($140,660), Police Supervisor ($126,140). 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 Paradise instead of Chico?
Paradise, CA is 11.1 miles from Chico 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 Chico an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Chico’s median household income of $67,929 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chico 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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