Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Elgin, IL (2026)
Elgin, Illinois has a population of about 114,106. The city’s median household income is $88,316 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Elgin, with tuition ranging from $3,432 to $14,661 per year. In the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $166,090 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Elgin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Elgin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | 13.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | 13.3 mi | $3,822 - $12,833 | – |
| Waubonsee Community College | Sugar Grove, IL | 18.2 mi | $3,432 - $14,661 | – |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 18.8 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 Elgin
Elgin is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (BLS area code 16980). 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 | $166,090 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $160,319 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $141,740 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $136,815 |
| Police Supervisor | $136,440 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $131,699 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $102,370 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $98,813 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $108,890 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $105,106 |
| Correctional Officer | $85,400 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,432 |
| Probation Officer | $70,820 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $68,359 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $99,670 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $96,207 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $66,930 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $64,604 |
| Information Security Analyst | $116,520 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $112,471 |
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.
Elgin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $88,316 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Elgin-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Carpentersville, IL – 6.1 mi away (38,291 pop)
- Bartlett, IL – 7.2 mi away (41,178 pop)
- Streamwood, IL – 7.5 mi away (40,166 pop)
- Saint Charles, IL – 8.3 mi away (32,717 pop)
- Algonquin, IL – 8.6 mi away (30,947 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Elgin, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Elgin. The closest is Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is College of DuPage (18.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Elgin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Elgin are: Attorney ($166,090), Judge or Magistrate ($141,740), Police Supervisor ($136,440). 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 Carpentersville instead of Elgin?
Carpentersville, IL is 6.1 miles from Elgin 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 Elgin an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Elgin’s median household income of $88,316 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Elgin 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)
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