Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Gainesville, FL (2026)
Gainesville, Florida has a population of about 143,611. The city’s median household income is $45,611 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gainesville, with tuition ranging from $2,563 to $14,353 per year. In the Gainesville, FL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $103,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Gainesville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Gainesville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | 5.3 mi | $2,563 - $14,353 | – |
| College of Central Florida | Ocala, FL | 37.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rasmussen University-Florida | Ocala, FL | 38.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | 39.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Gainesville
Gainesville is part of the Gainesville, FL metro area (BLS area code 23540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $103,660 | Gainesville, FL | $107,198 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $88,250 | Gainesville, FL | $91,262 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $67,010 | Gainesville, FL | $69,297 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $56,380 | Gainesville, FL | $58,304 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,260 | Gainesville, FL | $49,907 |
| Probation Officer | $47,920 | Gainesville, FL | $49,555 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,070 | FL statewide | $63,154 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,990 | Gainesville, FL | $49,628 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,330 | Gainesville, FL | $105,822 |
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.
Gainesville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,611 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Gainesville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Ocala, FL – 36.6 mi away (165,111 pop)
- Lake City, FL – 39.5 mi away (26,128 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 41.1 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Jacksonville, FL – 60.3 mi away (1,141,459 pop)
- Saint Augustine, FL – 63.9 mi away (76,129 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Gainesville, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gainesville. The closest is Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Johns River State College (39.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Gainesville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Gainesville are: Attorney ($103,660), Information Security Analyst ($102,330), Police Supervisor ($88,250). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Ocala instead of Gainesville?
Ocala, FL is 36.6 miles from Gainesville 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 Gainesville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Gainesville’s median household income of $45,611 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gainesville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida 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 Florida
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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