Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Thornton, CO (2026)
Thornton, Colorado has a population of about 142,878. The city’s median household income is $100,985 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Thornton, with tuition ranging from $4,030 to $28,209 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 Thornton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Thornton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 12.7 mi | $10,017 - $28,209 | – |
| Colorado State University Global | Aurora, CO | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora, CO | 15.8 mi | $4,030 - $16,210 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Thornton
Thornton 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.
Thornton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $100,985 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Thornton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Northglenn, CO – 1.9 mi away (38,982 pop)
- Broomfield, CO – 6.2 mi away (66,529 pop)
- Commerce City, CO – 6.6 mi away (54,869 pop)
- Westminster, CO – 6.8 mi away (113,875 pop)
- Brighton, CO – 8.6 mi away (38,314 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Thornton, CO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Thornton. The closest is Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Community College of Aurora (15.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Thornton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Thornton 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 Northglenn instead of Thornton?
Northglenn, CO is 1.9 miles from Thornton 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 Thornton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Thornton’s median household income of $100,985 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Thornton 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado (2026)