Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Merced, CA (2026)
Merced, California has a population of about 89,766. The city’s median household income is $59,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Merced. 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 Merced
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Merced city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 25.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madera Community College | Madera, CA | 37.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 37.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Clovis Community College | Fresno, CA | 50.3 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 Merced
Merced 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.
Merced at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,766 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Merced-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Atwater, CA – 7.4 mi away (29,270 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 25.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
- Los Banos, CA – 26.1 mi away (37,584 pop)
- Madera, CA – 32.2 mi away (82,278 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 33.3 mi away (48,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Merced, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Merced. The closest is Merced College in Merced, CA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Clovis Community College (50.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Merced?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Merced 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 Atwater instead of Merced?
Atwater, CA is 7.4 miles from Merced 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 Merced an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Merced’s median household income of $59,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merced 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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