Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Petaluma, CA (2026)
Petaluma, California has a population of about 59,321. The city’s median household income is $109,823 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Petaluma. In the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $173,160 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Petaluma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Petaluma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, CA | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 15.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Napa Valley College | Napa, CA | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Marin | Kentfield, CA | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Contra Costa College | San Pablo, CA | 24.6 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 Petaluma
Petaluma is part of the Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA metro area (BLS area code 42220). 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 | $173,160 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $160,631 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $156,590 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $145,260 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $110,530 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $102,532 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $121,370 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $112,588 |
| Correctional Officer | $95,840 | CA statewide | $88,905 |
| Probation Officer | $107,050 | CA statewide | $99,304 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $91,340 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $84,731 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $75,080 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $69,647 |
| Information Security Analyst | $133,000 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $123,377 |
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.
Petaluma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $109,823 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 107.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Petaluma-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Rohnert Park, CA – 8.2 mi away (42,622 pop)
- Sonoma, CA – 9.6 mi away (33,923 pop)
- Novato, CA – 11.0 mi away (56,004 pop)
- Santa Rosa, CA – 14.7 mi away (321,699 pop)
- Napa, CA – 18.1 mi away (87,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Petaluma, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Petaluma. The closest is Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA (7.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Contra Costa College (24.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Petaluma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Petaluma are: Attorney ($173,160), Police Supervisor ($156,590), Information Security Analyst ($133,000). 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 Rohnert Park instead of Petaluma?
Rohnert Park, CA is 8.2 miles from Petaluma 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 Petaluma an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Petaluma’s median household income of $109,823 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Petaluma 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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