Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Freeport, IL (2026)
Freeport, Illinois has a population of about 23,636. The city’s median household income is $48,181 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 49 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Freeport, with tuition ranging from $4,696 to $48,380 per year for indexed programs. 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 Freeport
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 49 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Freeport. Distances are calculated from Freeport city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 2.0 mi | $4,696 - $12,397 | – |
| Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | 32.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sauk Valley Community College | Dixon, IL | 32.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 37.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 45.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 53.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Edgewood College | Madison, WI | 54.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 55.3 mi | $38,298 - $48,380 | – |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | 55.9 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 Freeport
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Illinois, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $157,320 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A |
| Police Supervisor | $136,440 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $89,740 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $101,530 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,750 |
| Probation Officer | $70,350 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $62,290 |
| Information Security Analyst | $114,300 |
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.
Freeport at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,636 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,181 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Freeport-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Rockford, IL – 29.3 mi away (286,727 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 31.6 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Loves Park, IL – 32.7 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Sterling, IL – 34.0 mi away (27,961 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 35.4 mi away (63,470 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Freeport, IL?
Our directory has 49 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Freeport. The closest is Highland Community College in Freeport, IL (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Dubuque (55.9 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Illinois?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Illinois are: Attorney ($157,320), Police Supervisor ($136,440), Forensic Science Technician ($117,590). Wages for Freeport workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Rockford instead of Freeport?
Rockford, IL is 29.3 miles from Freeport 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 Freeport an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Freeport’s median household income of $48,181 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Freeport 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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