Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Palm Bay, FL (2026)
Palm Bay, Florida has a population of about 125,273. The city’s median household income is $67,521 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Palm Bay. 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 Palm Bay
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Palm Bay city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | 43.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee, FL | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ana G. Mendez University | Orlando, FL | 52.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 53.4 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 Palm Bay
Palm Bay 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.
Palm Bay at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,521 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.0 (at U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Palm Bay-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- West Melbourne, FL – 5.8 mi away (21,293 pop)
- Melbourne, FL – 8.9 mi away (81,185 pop)
- Sebastian, FL – 17.6 mi away (24,772 pop)
- Rockledge, FL – 23.4 mi away (27,068 pop)
- Saint Cloud, FL – 41.5 mi away (47,809 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Palm Bay, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Palm Bay. The closest is Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, FL (12.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Central Florida (53.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Palm Bay?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay?
West Melbourne, FL is 5.8 miles from Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Palm Bay’s median household income of $67,521 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Palm Bay 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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