Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in South Lake Tahoe, CA (2026)
South Lake Tahoe, California has a population of about 21,319. The city’s median household income is $73,940 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. In the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $171,120 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to South Lake Tahoe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from South Lake Tahoe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe Community College | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Nevada College | Carson City, NV | 19.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nevada-Reno | Reno, NV | 42.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Truckee Meadows Community College | Reno, NV | 44.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA | 64.6 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 South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is part of the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area (BLS area code 40900). 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 | $171,120 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $160,375 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | CA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $158,230 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $148,294 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $109,830 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,933 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $112,630 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $105,558 |
| Correctional Officer | $86,930 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $81,471 |
| Probation Officer | $100,120 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $93,833 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $96,770 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $90,694 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $77,170 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,324 |
| Information Security Analyst | $132,030 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $123,739 |
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.
South Lake Tahoe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,319 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,940 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 106.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other South Lake Tahoe-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Carson City, NV – 19.3 mi away (57,522 pop)
- Reno, NV – 42.7 mi away (427,007 pop)
- Sparks, NV – 46.1 mi away (98,345 pop)
- Placerville, CA – 46.2 mi away (30,531 pop)
- Grass Valley, CA – 60.8 mi away (34,508 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near South Lake Tahoe, CA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of South Lake Tahoe. The closest is Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe, CA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Folsom Lake College (64.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near South Lake Tahoe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near South Lake Tahoe are: Attorney ($171,120), Police Supervisor ($158,230), Information Security Analyst ($132,030). 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 Carson City instead of South Lake Tahoe?
Carson City, NV is 19.3 miles from South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe an affordable place to study criminal justice?
South Lake Tahoe’s median household income of $73,940 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Lake Tahoe 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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