Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Denver, CO (2026)
Denver, Colorado has a population of about 713,734. The city’s median household income is $91,681 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Denver, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $50,206 per year. In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $193,000 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Denver
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Denver city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 4.9 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
| Colorado State University Global | Aurora, CO | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 6.0 mi | $10,017 - $28,209 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 7.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | 12.2 mi | $39,266 - $50,206 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Denver
Denver is part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area (BLS area code 19740). 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 | $180,940 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $171,021 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $193,000 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $182,420 |
| Police Supervisor | $128,310 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $121,276 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $108,360 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $102,420 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $103,170 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $97,514 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,210 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $60,690 |
| Probation Officer | $65,780 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $62,174 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,990 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $73,715 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $79,240 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $74,896 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,670 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $124,452 |
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.
Denver at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $91,681 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Denver-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Commerce City, CO – 7.2 mi away (54,869 pop)
- Aurora, CO – 8.7 mi away (361,710 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 10.1 mi away (34,050 pop)
- Thornton, CO – 11.5 mi away (136,703 pop)
- Northglenn, CO – 11.6 mi away (38,982 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Denver, CO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Denver. The closest is Community College of Aurora in Aurora, CO (4.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Colorado Christian University (12.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Denver?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Denver are: Judge or Magistrate ($193,000), Attorney ($180,940), Information Security Analyst ($131,670). 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 Commerce City instead of Denver?
Commerce City, CO is 7.2 miles from Denver 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 Denver an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Denver’s median household income of $91,681 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Denver 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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