Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
Colorado Springs, Colorado has a population of about 483,099. The city’s median household income is $83,198 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Colorado Springs, with tuition ranging from $4,308 to $23,713 per year. In the Colorado Springs, CO metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $184,690 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Colorado Springs
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Colorado Springs city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 2.7 mi | $9,712 - $23,713 | – |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 6.6 mi | $12,760 - $21,694 | – |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs, CO | 7.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo, CO | 42.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | 53.0 mi | $4,308 - $16,542 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is part of the Colorado Springs, CO metro area (BLS area code 17820). 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 | $122,110 | Colorado Springs, CO | $121,261 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $184,690 | Colorado Springs, CO | $183,406 |
| Police Supervisor | $121,070 | Colorado Springs, CO | $120,228 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $80,830 | Colorado Springs, CO | $80,268 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $92,660 | Colorado Springs, CO | $92,016 |
| Correctional Officer | $57,760 | Colorado Springs, CO | $57,358 |
| Probation Officer | $65,370 | Colorado Springs, CO | $64,916 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $80,400 | Colorado Springs, CO | $79,841 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,200 | Colorado Springs, CO | $59,782 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,520 | Colorado Springs, CO | $124,647 |
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.
Colorado Springs at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,198 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Colorado Springs-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Fountain, CO – 13.3 mi away (28,753 pop)
- Castle Rock, CO – 35.5 mi away (57,666 pop)
- Canon City, CO – 38.4 mi away (27,600 pop)
- Pueblo, CO – 42.0 mi away (141,280 pop)
- Parker, CO – 44.2 mi away (51,163 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Colorado Springs, CO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Colorado Springs. The closest is University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Colorado Springs, CO (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arapahoe Community College (53.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Colorado Springs?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Colorado Springs are: Judge or Magistrate ($184,690), Information Security Analyst ($125,520), Attorney ($122,110). 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 Fountain instead of Colorado Springs?
Fountain, CO is 13.3 miles from Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Colorado Springs’s median household income of $83,198 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Colorado Springs 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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