Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Champaign, IL (2026)
Champaign, Illinois has a population of about 88,822. The city’s median household income is $57,544 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 53.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Champaign. In Illinois, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Forensic Science Technician at a median $117,590 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Champaign
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Champaign city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | 36.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 36.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL | 44.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 47.7 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 Champaign
Champaign is part of the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area (BLS area code 16580). 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 | $107,600 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $116,073 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $108,550 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $117,098 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $73,480 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $79,266 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,100 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $83,172 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,890 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $58,134 |
| Probation Officer | $70,350 | IL statewide | $75,890 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 | IL statewide | $126,850 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,860 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $51,629 |
| Information Security Analyst | $92,240 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $99,504 |
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.
Champaign at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,822 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 53.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Champaign-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Urbana, IL – 4.0 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Danville, IL – 35.0 mi away (48,785 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 39.3 mi away (89,653 pop)
- Charleston, IL – 43.8 mi away (21,105 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 44.4 mi away (135,015 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Champaign, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Champaign. The closest is Parkland College in Champaign, IL (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Illinois State University (47.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Champaign?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Champaign are: Forensic Science Technician ($117,590), Police Supervisor ($108,550), Attorney ($107,600). 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 Urbana instead of Champaign?
Urbana, IL is 4.0 miles from Champaign 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 Champaign an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Champaign’s median household income of $57,544 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Champaign 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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