Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Park Ridge, IL (2026)
Park Ridge, Illinois has a population of about 39,241. The city’s median household income is $138,059 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 65.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Park Ridge, with tuition ranging from $4,920 to $14,880 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 Park Ridge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Park Ridge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, IL | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Triton College | River Grove, IL | 6.8 mi | $4,920 - $14,880 | – |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL | 6.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Park University | Chicago, IL | 7.5 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 Park Ridge
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,241 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $138,059 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 65.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Park Ridge-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Niles, IL – 2.0 mi away (29,617 pop)
- Des Plaines, IL – 3.3 mi away (58,141 pop)
- Morton Grove, IL – 3.5 mi away (23,227 pop)
- Glenview, IL – 5.0 mi away (47,475 pop)
- Skokie, IL – 5.6 mi away (64,270 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Park Ridge, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Park Ridge. The closest is Oakton College in Des Plaines, IL (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Park University (7.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Park Ridge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Park Ridge 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 Niles instead of Park Ridge?
Niles, IL is 2.0 miles from Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Park Ridge’s median household income of $138,059 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Park Ridge 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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