Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Kankakee, IL (2026)
Kankakee, Illinois has a population of about 24,384. The city’s median household income is $45,119 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 12.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kankakee, with tuition ranging from $11,320 to $23,076 per year. In the Kankakee, IL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $120,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Kankakee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Kankakee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kankakee Community College | Kankakee, IL | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, IL | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Governors State University | University Park, IL | 25.2 mi | $11,320 - $23,076 | – |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL | 30.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 31.4 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 Kankakee
Kankakee is part of the Kankakee, IL metro area (BLS area code 28100). 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 | $86,710 | Kankakee, IL | $89,948 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $120,300 | Kankakee, IL | $124,793 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $89,740 | IL statewide | $93,091 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $71,120 | Kankakee, IL | $73,776 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,750 | IL statewide | $81,691 |
| Probation Officer | $70,350 | IL statewide | $72,977 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 | IL statewide | $121,981 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $62,290 | IL statewide | $64,616 |
| Information Security Analyst | $114,300 | IL statewide | $118,568 |
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.
Kankakee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,384 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,119 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 12.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Kankakee-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Braidwood, IL – 22.0 mi away (22,563 pop)
- Park Forest, IL – 27.8 mi away (21,785 pop)
- New Lenox, IL – 28.6 mi away (26,217 pop)
- Mokena, IL – 29.8 mi away (20,097 pop)
- Chicago Heights, IL – 30.6 mi away (30,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Kankakee, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kankakee. The closest is Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Prairie State College (31.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Kankakee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Kankakee are: Police Supervisor ($120,300), Forensic Science Technician ($117,590), Information Security Analyst ($114,300). 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 Braidwood instead of Kankakee?
Braidwood, IL is 22.0 miles from Kankakee 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 Kankakee an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Kankakee’s median household income of $45,119 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kankakee 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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