Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lakeland, FL (2026)
Lakeland, Florida has a population of about 117,030. The city’s median household income is $60,947 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lakeland, with tuition ranging from $3,366 to $41,727 per year. In the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $108,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Lakeland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Lakeland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern University | Lakeland, FL | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven, FL | 14.8 mi | $3,366 - $12,709 | – |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Florida | Tampa, FL | 25.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Leo University | Saint Leo, FL | 26.9 mi | $28,360 - $41,727 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Lakeland
Lakeland is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area (BLS area code 29460). 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 | $108,990 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $112,245 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $93,990 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $96,797 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $69,330 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $71,401 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $66,790 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $68,785 |
| Correctional Officer | $47,260 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $48,671 |
| Probation Officer | $46,970 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $48,373 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $52,800 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $54,377 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,400 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $57,055 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,190 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $100,093 |
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.
Lakeland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lakeland-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Plant City, FL – 10.5 mi away (38,200 pop)
- Winter Haven, FL – 15.7 mi away (231,412 pop)
- Zephyrhills, FL – 18.8 mi away (74,712 pop)
- Haines City, FL – 21.0 mi away (23,454 pop)
- Temple Terrace, FL – 25.9 mi away (26,515 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Lakeland, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lakeland. The closest is Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Leo University (26.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lakeland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lakeland are: Attorney ($108,990), Information Security Analyst ($97,190), Police Supervisor ($93,990). 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 Plant City instead of Lakeland?
Plant City, FL is 10.5 miles from Lakeland 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 Lakeland an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lakeland’s median household income of $60,947 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lakeland 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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