Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a population of about 136,859. The city’s median household income is $67,859 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cedar Rapids, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $14,797 per year. In the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $124,300 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Cedar Rapids
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Cedar Rapids city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 3.6 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 46.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 55.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids is part of the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area (BLS area code 16300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Iowa statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $124,300 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $139,663 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $109,910 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $123,494 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | IA statewide | $87,011 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $74,250 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $83,427 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,420 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,775 |
| Probation Officer | $66,930 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $75,202 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 | IA statewide | $71,517 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,740 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $69,371 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,960 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $116,809 |
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.
Cedar Rapids at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,859 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cedar Rapids-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Marion, IA – 7.2 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Coralville, IA – 19.0 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Iowa City, IA – 22.8 mi away (116,891 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 49.2 mi away (26,481 pop)
- Waterloo, IA – 50.1 mi away (112,635 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Cedar Rapids, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cedar Rapids. The closest is Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Northern Iowa (55.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Cedar Rapids?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Cedar Rapids are: Attorney ($124,300), Police Supervisor ($109,910), Information Security Analyst ($103,960). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Iowa statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Marion instead of Cedar Rapids?
Marion, IA is 7.2 miles from Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Cedar Rapids’s median household income of $67,859 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cedar Rapids while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Iowa 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 Iowa
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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