Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Merrillville, IN (2026)
Merrillville, Indiana has a population of about 36,343. The city’s median household income is $64,791 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Merrillville, with tuition ranging from $5,093 to $31,758 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 Merrillville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Merrillville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Northwest | Gary, IN | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | 11.0 mi | $8,419 - $16,287 | – |
| Calumet College of Saint Joseph | Whiting, IN | 16.4 mi | $22,650 - $31,758 | – |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights, IL | 16.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | 18.5 mi | $5,093 - $12,683 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Indiana schools on the Indiana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Merrillville
Merrillville 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 Indiana 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.
Merrillville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,343 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Merrillville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hobart, IN – 3.7 mi away (28,248 pop)
- Crown Point, IN – 4.3 mi away (29,176 pop)
- Schererville, IN – 6.5 mi away (28,701 pop)
- Gary, IN – 8.3 mi away (76,424 pop)
- Highland, IN – 8.9 mi away (22,737 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Merrillville, IN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Merrillville. The closest is Indiana University-Northwest in Gary, IN (5.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South Suburban College (18.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Merrillville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Merrillville are: Attorney ($166,090), Judge or Magistrate ($141,740), Police Supervisor ($136,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Indiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hobart instead of Merrillville?
Hobart, IN is 3.7 miles from Merrillville 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 Merrillville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Merrillville’s median household income of $64,791 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Merrillville while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Indiana 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 Indiana
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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