Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Melbourne, FL (2026)
Melbourne, Florida has a population of about 85,718. The city’s median household income is $64,504 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Melbourne. In the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $124,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Melbourne
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Melbourne city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee, FL | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 47.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ana G. Mendez University | Orlando, FL | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | 51.3 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 Melbourne
Melbourne is part of the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL metro area (BLS area code 37340). 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 | $124,680 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $124,680 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $87,380 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $87,380 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $72,300 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $72,300 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $56,830 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $56,830 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,260 | FL statewide | $48,260 |
| Probation Officer | $50,540 | FL statewide | $50,540 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $47,080 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $47,080 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $51,650 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $51,650 |
| Information Security Analyst | $106,400 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $106,400 |
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.
Melbourne at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,718 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,504 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.0 (at U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Melbourne-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- West Melbourne, FL – 3.4 mi away (21,293 pop)
- Palm Bay, FL – 8.9 mi away (483,098 pop)
- Rockledge, FL – 14.9 mi away (27,068 pop)
- Sebastian, FL – 24.9 mi away (24,772 pop)
- Titusville, FL – 33.2 mi away (57,193 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Melbourne, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Melbourne. The closest is Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, FL (4.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Indian River State College (51.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Melbourne?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Melbourne are: Attorney ($124,680), Information Security Analyst ($106,400), Police Supervisor ($87,380). 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 West Melbourne instead of Melbourne?
West Melbourne, FL is 3.4 miles from Melbourne 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 Melbourne an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Melbourne’s median household income of $64,504 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Melbourne 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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