Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Boulder, CO (2026)
Boulder, Colorado has a population of about 106,274. The city’s median household income is $85,364 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 76.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Boulder, with tuition ranging from $10,017 to $50,206 per year. In Colorado, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $191,640 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Boulder
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Boulder city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | 23.4 mi | $39,266 - $50,206 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 23.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 24.4 mi | $10,017 - $28,209 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Boulder
Boulder is part of the Boulder, CO metro area (BLS area code 14500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Colorado statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $167,970 | CO statewide | $159,667 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $191,640 | CO statewide | $182,167 |
| Police Supervisor | $133,920 | Boulder, CO | $127,300 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $104,400 | Boulder, CO | $99,240 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $101,240 | Boulder, CO | $96,236 |
| Correctional Officer | $60,670 | CO statewide | $57,671 |
| Probation Officer | $66,770 | CO statewide | $63,470 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,800 | CO statewide | $73,954 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $68,980 | Boulder, CO | $65,570 |
| Information Security Analyst | $156,410 | Boulder, CO | $148,679 |
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.
Boulder at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,364 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 76.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Boulder-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Louisville, CO – 6.9 mi away (20,801 pop)
- Lafayette, CO – 8.3 mi away (91,767 pop)
- Erie, CO – 11.2 mi away (22,803 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 11.7 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Longmont, CO – 12.7 mi away (97,835 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Boulder, CO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Boulder. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (14.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (24.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Boulder?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Boulder are: Judge or Magistrate ($191,640), Attorney ($167,970), Information Security Analyst ($156,410). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Colorado statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Louisville instead of Boulder?
Louisville, CO is 6.9 miles from Boulder 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 Boulder an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Boulder’s median household income of $85,364 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Boulder while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado 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 Colorado
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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