Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Panama City, FL (2026)
Panama City, Florida has a population of about 34,211. The city’s median household income is $61,125 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Panama City, with tuition ranging from $4,920 to $9,863 per year. In the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $102,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Panama City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Panama City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Florida Panhandle Technical College | Chipley, FL | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chipola College | Marianna, FL | 46.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 57.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| George C Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan, AL | 77.8 mi | $4,920 - $9,863 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Panama City
Panama City is part of the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL metro area (BLS area code 37460). 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 | $101,140 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $103,947 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $87,920 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $90,360 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $65,140 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $66,948 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,670 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $60,298 |
| Correctional Officer | $45,760 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $47,030 |
| Probation Officer | $45,760 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $47,030 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,070 | FL statewide | $62,765 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,930 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $49,260 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,990 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $105,848 |
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.
Panama City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,125 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Panama City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lynn Haven, FL – 3.0 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Fort Walton Beach, FL – 61.9 mi away (21,971 pop)
- Crestview, FL – 68.8 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Tallahassee, FL – 83.2 mi away (252,825 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 95.3 mi away (352,187 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Panama City, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Panama City. The closest is Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL (6.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is George C Wallace Community College-Dothan (77.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Panama City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Panama City are: Information Security Analyst ($102,990), Attorney ($101,140), Police Supervisor ($87,920). 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 Lynn Haven instead of Panama City?
Lynn Haven, FL is 3.0 miles from Panama City 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 Panama City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Panama City’s median household income of $61,125 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Panama City 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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