Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sarasota, FL (2026)
Sarasota, Florida has a population of about 56,218. The city’s median household income is $70,065 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sarasota, with tuition ranging from $2,682 to $10,634 per year. In the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $134,670 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sarasota
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Sarasota city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suncoast Technical College | Sarasota, FL | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton, FL | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL | 11.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL | 29.8 mi | $2,682 - $10,634 | – |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | 41.5 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 Sarasota
Sarasota is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL metro area (BLS area code 35840). 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 | $134,670 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $131,514 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | FL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $109,940 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $107,363 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $62,460 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $60,996 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,720 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $74,922 |
| Correctional Officer | $66,240 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $64,688 |
| Probation Officer | $53,310 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $52,061 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,950 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $62,451 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,410 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $58,018 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,900 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $102,441 |
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.
Sarasota at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,218 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sarasota-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Bradenton, FL – 10.6 mi away (55,687 pop)
- Venice, FL – 17.3 mi away (22,465 pop)
- North Port, FL – 28.8 mi away (190,003 pop)
- Saint Petersburg, FL – 32.2 mi away (260,999 pop)
- Pinellas Park, FL – 37.3 mi away (52,137 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Sarasota, FL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sarasota. The closest is Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota, FL (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hillsborough Community College (41.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Sarasota?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Sarasota are: Attorney ($134,670), Police Supervisor ($109,940), Information Security Analyst ($104,900). 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 Bradenton instead of Sarasota?
Bradenton, FL is 10.6 miles from Sarasota 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 Sarasota an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sarasota’s median household income of $70,065 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sarasota 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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