Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Gardena, CA (2026)
Gardena, California has a population of about 59,765. The city’s median household income is $79,291 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gardena, with tuition ranging from $7,064 to $18,944 per year. In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $205,900 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Gardena
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Gardena city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Los Angeles Southwest College | Los Angeles, CA | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 3.6 mi | $7,064 - $18,944 | – |
| Compton College | Compton, CA | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | 6.8 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 Gardena
Gardena is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area (BLS area code 31080). 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 | $205,900 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $181,250 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $169,590 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $149,287 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $127,980 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $112,658 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $115,630 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $101,787 |
| Correctional Officer | $79,710 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $70,167 |
| Probation Officer | $107,530 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $94,657 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $98,110 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $86,364 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $63,110 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $55,555 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,280 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,563 |
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.
Gardena at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,291 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 113.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Gardena-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lawndale, CA – 2.7 mi away (33,145 pop)
- Hawthorne, CA – 2.7 mi away (88,031 pop)
- Compton, CA – 4.6 mi away (97,550 pop)
- Torrance, CA – 4.6 mi away (147,195 pop)
- Redondo Beach, CA – 4.7 mi away (67,867 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Gardena, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gardena. The closest is El Camino Community College District in Torrance, CA (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Long Beach City College (6.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Gardena?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Gardena are: Attorney ($205,900), Police Supervisor ($169,590), Information Security Analyst ($131,280). 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 Lawndale instead of Gardena?
Lawndale, CA is 2.7 miles from Gardena 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 Gardena an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Gardena’s median household income of $79,291 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gardena 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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