Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sonora, CA (2026)
Sonora, California has a population of about 4,965. The city’s median household income is $62,621 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 42 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Sonora, with tuition ranging from $14,760 to $20,286 per year for indexed programs. In California, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $197,790 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sonora
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 42 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Sonora. Distances are calculated from Sonora city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia College | Sonora, CA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| California State University-Stanislaus | Turlock, CA | 40.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Modesto Junior College | Modesto, CA | 41.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto | Salida, CA | 42.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Merced College | Merced, CA | 45.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| UEI College-Stockton | Stockton, CA | 50.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses | Stockton, CA | 50.9 mi | $14,760 - $20,286 | – |
| San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | 50.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA | 61.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | 65.2 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 Sonora
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (California, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $197,790 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A |
| Police Supervisor | $162,740 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $122,140 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $115,400 |
| Correctional Officer | $95,840 |
| Probation Officer | $107,050 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $96,850 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $72,960 |
| Information Security Analyst | $140,660 |
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.
Sonora at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,965 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,621 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Sonora-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Oakdale, CA – 29.5 mi away (22,564 pop)
- Riverbank, CA – 35.2 mi away (24,389 pop)
- Modesto, CA – 41.4 mi away (377,755 pop)
- Ceres, CA – 41.4 mi away (48,278 pop)
- Turlock, CA – 42.0 mi away (106,100 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Sonora, CA?
Our directory has 42 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Sonora. The closest is Columbia College in Sonora, CA (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Cosumnes River College (65.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in California?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in California are: Attorney ($197,790), Police Supervisor ($162,740), Information Security Analyst ($140,660). Wages for Sonora workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Oakdale instead of Sonora?
Oakdale, CA is 29.5 miles from Sonora 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 Sonora an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sonora’s median household income of $62,621 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sonora 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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