Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Meridian, ID (2026)
Meridian, Idaho has a population of about 124,865. The city’s median household income is $98,686 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 4 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Meridian, with tuition ranging from $6,210 to $13,643 per year. In the Boise City, ID metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $174,660 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Meridian
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Meridian city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Western Idaho | Nampa, ID | 5.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa, ID | 9.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Boise State University | Boise, ID | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Treasure Valley Community College | Ontario, OR | 39.8 mi | $6,210 - $13,643 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Idaho schools on the Idaho criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Meridian
Meridian is part of the Boise City, ID metro area (BLS area code 14260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Idaho statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $105,640 | Boise City, ID | $107,358 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $174,660 | Boise City, ID | $177,500 |
| Police Supervisor | $95,880 | Boise City, ID | $97,439 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $89,540 | Boise City, ID | $90,996 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $71,680 | Boise City, ID | $72,846 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,250 | Boise City, ID | $54,116 |
| Probation Officer | $59,200 | Boise City, ID | $60,163 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $71,930 | Boise City, ID | $73,100 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,420 | Boise City, ID | $58,354 |
| Information Security Analyst | $123,310 | Boise City, ID | $125,315 |
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.
Meridian at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $98,686 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Meridian-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Eagle, ID – 7.3 mi away (24,785 pop)
- Nampa, ID – 8.7 mi away (169,761 pop)
- Caldwell, ID – 13.2 mi away (53,149 pop)
- Ontario, OR – 40.3 mi away (24,778 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Meridian, ID?
Our directory lists 4 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Meridian. The closest is College of Western Idaho in Nampa, ID (5.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Treasure Valley Community College (39.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Meridian?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Meridian are: Judge or Magistrate ($174,660), Information Security Analyst ($123,310), Attorney ($105,640). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Idaho statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Eagle instead of Meridian?
Eagle, ID is 7.3 miles from Meridian 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 Meridian an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Meridian’s median household income of $98,686 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Meridian while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Idaho 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 Idaho
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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