Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rockford, IL (2026)
Rockford, Illinois has a population of about 147,649. The city’s median household income is $53,328 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rockford, with tuition ranging from $4,696 to $12,397 per year. In the Rockford, IL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $119,440 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Rockford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rockford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Illinois | Rockford, IL | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | 4.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kishwaukee College | Malta, IL | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 29.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 30.9 mi | $4,696 - $12,397 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Illinois schools on the Illinois criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Rockford
Rockford is part of the Rockford, IL metro area (BLS area code 40420). 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 | $101,210 | Rockford, IL | $109,772 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IL statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $119,440 | Rockford, IL | $129,544 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $105,380 | Rockford, IL | $114,295 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,750 | Rockford, IL | $84,328 |
| Correctional Officer | $68,540 | Rockford, IL | $74,338 |
| Probation Officer | $50,680 | Rockford, IL | $54,967 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $117,590 | IL statewide | $127,538 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,120 | Rockford, IL | $51,106 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,400 | Rockford, IL | $116,486 |
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.
Rockford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,328 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rockford-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Loves Park, IL – 6.3 mi away (23,413 pop)
- Machesney Park, IL – 7.7 mi away (22,873 pop)
- Belvidere, IL – 10.2 mi away (25,070 pop)
- Beloit, WI – 18.4 mi away (63,470 pop)
- DeKalb, IL – 28.0 mi away (67,501 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rockford, IL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rockford. The closest is Rasmussen University-Illinois in Rockford, IL (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highland Community College (30.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rockford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rockford are: Police Supervisor ($119,440), Forensic Science Technician ($117,590), Information Security Analyst ($107,400). 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 Loves Park instead of Rockford?
Loves Park, IL is 6.3 miles from Rockford 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 Rockford an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rockford’s median household income of $53,328 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rockford 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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