Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Alton, IL (2026)
Alton, Illinois has a population of about 25,430. The city’s median household income is $53,005 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Alton, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $12,053 per year. In the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $156,210 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Alton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Alton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Community College | Godfrey, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL | 11.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | 16.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO | 18.8 mi | $3,660 - $12,053 | – |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Saint Louis, MO | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Alton
Alton is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 41180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Illinois statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $128,070 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $134,669 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $164,259 |
| Police Supervisor | $101,820 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $107,066 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $86,200 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $90,641 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $72,020 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $75,731 |
| Correctional Officer | $54,190 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $56,982 |
| Probation Officer | $47,840 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,305 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,034 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,820 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,851 |
| Information Security Analyst | $106,250 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $111,725 |
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.
Alton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,430 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,005 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Alton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Edwardsville, IL – 11.7 mi away (25,071 pop)
- Florissant, MO – 11.8 mi away (51,776 pop)
- Granite City, IL – 12.1 mi away (28,908 pop)
- Ferguson, MO – 13.1 mi away (20,846 pop)
- Hazelwood, MO – 14.9 mi away (25,443 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Alton, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Alton. The closest is Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Harris-Stowe State University (19.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Alton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Alton are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Attorney ($128,070), Information Security Analyst ($106,250). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Illinois statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Edwardsville instead of Alton?
Edwardsville, IL is 11.7 miles from Alton 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 Alton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Alton’s median household income of $53,005 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Alton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Illinois 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 Illinois
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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