Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Salinas, CA (2026)
Salinas, California has a population of about 161,993. The city’s median household income is $89,150 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Salinas, with tuition ranging from $1,404 to $12,050 per year. In the Salinas, CA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $167,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Salinas
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Salinas city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 2.3 mi | $1,404 - $12,050 | – |
| Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 15.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gavilan College | Gilroy, CA | 19.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cabrillo College | Aptos, CA | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Evergreen Valley College | San Jose, CA | 43.0 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 Salinas
Salinas is part of the Salinas, CA metro area (BLS area code 41500). 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 | $167,700 | Salinas, CA | $153,853 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $141,730 | Salinas, CA | $130,028 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $129,880 | Salinas, CA | $119,156 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $122,290 | Salinas, CA | $112,193 |
| Correctional Officer | $106,490 | Salinas, CA | $97,697 |
| Probation Officer | $107,050 | CA statewide | $98,211 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $96,850 | CA statewide | $88,853 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $67,260 | Salinas, CA | $61,706 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 | CA statewide | $129,046 |
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.
Salinas at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $89,150 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 15.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 109.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Salinas-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Marina, CA – 8.8 mi away (21,688 pop)
- Seaside, CA – 11.3 mi away (118,670 pop)
- Monterey, CA – 15.3 mi away (28,454 pop)
- Hollister, CA – 17.4 mi away (45,496 pop)
- Watsonville, CA – 17.8 mi away (77,266 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Salinas, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Salinas. The closest is Hartnell College in Salinas, CA (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Evergreen Valley College (43.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Salinas?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Salinas are: Attorney ($167,700), Police Supervisor ($141,730), Information Security Analyst ($140,660). 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 Marina instead of Salinas?
Marina, CA is 8.8 miles from Salinas 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 Salinas an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Salinas’s median household income of $89,150 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salinas 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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