Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Normal, IL (2026)
Normal, Illinois has a population of about 52,908. The city’s median household income is $66,350 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Normal, with tuition ranging from $4,650 to $17,251 per year. In the Bloomington, IL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $136,360 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Normal
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Normal city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State University | Normal, IL | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria, IL | 30.7 mi | $4,650 - $17,251 | – |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 44.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Parkland College | Champaign, IL | 45.5 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 Normal
Normal is part of the Bloomington, IL metro area (BLS area code 14010). 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 | $126,450 | Bloomington, IL | $135,241 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $135,430 | Bloomington, IL | $144,845 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $89,740 | IL statewide | $95,979 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $84,080 | Bloomington, IL | $89,925 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,750 | IL statewide | $84,225 |
| Probation Officer | $70,350 | IL statewide | $75,241 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 | IL statewide | $125,765 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,000 | Bloomington, IL | $62,032 |
| Information Security Analyst | $136,360 | Bloomington, IL | $145,840 |
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.
Normal at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,908 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,350 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Normal-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Bloomington, IL – 3.3 mi away (135,015 pop)
- East Peoria, IL – 30.9 mi away (22,939 pop)
- Pekin, IL – 33.7 mi away (33,038 pop)
- Peoria, IL – 36.5 mi away (265,218 pop)
- Decatur, IL – 46.1 mi away (89,653 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Normal, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Normal. The closest is Illinois State University in Normal, IL (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Parkland College (45.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Normal?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Normal are: Information Security Analyst ($136,360), Police Supervisor ($135,430), Attorney ($126,450). 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 Bloomington instead of Normal?
Bloomington, IL is 3.3 miles from Normal 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 Normal an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Normal’s median household income of $66,350 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Normal 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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