Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ocala, FL (2026)
Ocala, Florida has a population of about 64,903. The city’s median household income is $53,520 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Ocala. In Florida, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $127,810 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Ocala
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Ocala city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Central Florida | Ocala, FL | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rasmussen University-Florida | Ocala, FL | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Withlacoochee Technical College | Inverness, FL | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg, FL | 32.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Technical College | Eustis, FL | 36.6 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 Ocala
Ocala is part of the Ocala, FL metro area (BLS area code 36100). 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 | $127,810 | FL statewide | $134,254 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $97,810 | Ocala, FL | $102,742 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $58,820 | Ocala, FL | $61,786 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $67,230 | Ocala, FL | $70,620 |
| Correctional Officer | $45,760 | Ocala, FL | $48,067 |
| Probation Officer | $49,190 | Ocala, FL | $51,670 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,070 | FL statewide | $64,149 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,780 | Ocala, FL | $52,290 |
| Information Security Analyst | $81,740 | Ocala, FL | $85,861 |
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.
Ocala at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,903 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,520 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ocala-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Leesburg, FL – 32.3 mi away (146,398 pop)
- Eustis, FL – 36.2 mi away (20,768 pop)
- Gainesville, FL – 36.6 mi away (198,702 pop)
- Palatka, FL – 43.7 mi away (23,740 pop)
- Apopka, FL – 50.0 mi away (49,458 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Ocala, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Ocala. The closest is College of Central Florida in Ocala, FL (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lake Technical College (36.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Ocala?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Ocala are: Attorney ($127,810), Police Supervisor ($97,810), Information Security Analyst ($81,740). 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 Leesburg instead of Ocala?
Leesburg, FL is 32.3 miles from Ocala 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 Ocala an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Ocala’s median household income of $53,520 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ocala 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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