Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Decatur, IL (2026)
Decatur, Illinois has a population of about 70,368. The city’s median household income is $50,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Decatur. In Illinois, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $157,320 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Decatur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield, IL | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield, IL | 37.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 39.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Land College | Mattoon, IL | 42.1 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 Decatur
Decatur is part of the Decatur, IL metro area (BLS area code 19500). 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 | $157,320 | IL statewide | $177,964 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $136,440 | IL statewide | $154,344 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $89,740 | IL statewide | $101,516 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $82,770 | Decatur, IL | $93,631 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,750 | IL statewide | $89,084 |
| Probation Officer | $70,350 | IL statewide | $79,581 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 | IL statewide | $133,020 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,700 | Decatur, IL | $69,796 |
| Information Security Analyst | $114,300 | IL statewide | $129,299 |
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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,368 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Springfield, IL – 38.7 mi away (160,570 pop)
- Champaign, IL – 39.3 mi away (155,368 pop)
- Urbana, IL – 42.8 mi away (42,014 pop)
- Bloomington, IL – 42.9 mi away (135,015 pop)
- Normal, IL – 46.1 mi away (54,264 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Decatur, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Decatur. The closest is Richland Community College in Decatur, IL (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lake Land College (42.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Decatur are: Attorney ($157,320), Police Supervisor ($136,440), Forensic Science Technician ($117,590). 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 Springfield instead of Decatur?
Springfield, IL is 38.7 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Decatur’s median household income of $50,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois (2026)