Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Golden, CO (2026)
Golden, Colorado has a population of about 20,467. The city’s median household income is $95,913 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 59.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Golden, with tuition ranging from $4,308 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 Golden
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Golden city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO | 6.5 mi | $39,266 - $50,206 | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 12.1 mi | $10,017 - $28,209 | – |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | 13.8 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 Golden
Golden 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.
Golden at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,467 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,913 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 59.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Golden-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lakewood, CO – 5.9 mi away (154,393 pop)
- Wheat Ridge, CO – 6.2 mi away (31,372 pop)
- Arvada, CO – 7.1 mi away (117,453 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 12.7 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Englewood, CO – 13.3 mi away (34,050 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Golden, CO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Golden. The closest is Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arapahoe Community College (13.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Golden?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Golden 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 Lakewood instead of Golden?
Lakewood, CO is 5.9 miles from Golden 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 Golden an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Golden’s median household income of $95,913 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Golden 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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