Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Des Moines, IA (2026)
Des Moines, Iowa has a population of about 212,464. The city’s median household income is $63,966 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Des Moines, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $27,683 per year. In the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $118,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Des Moines
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Des Moines city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 3.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 9.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 31.5 mi | $10,497 - $27,683 | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 46.6 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Des Moines
Des Moines is part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area (BLS area code 19780). 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 | $118,750 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $129,498 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $117,020 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $127,612 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $79,640 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $86,848 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $85,420 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $93,152 |
| Correctional Officer | $56,590 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,712 |
| Probation Officer | $80,600 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $87,895 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,450 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,827 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,790 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $66,292 |
| Information Security Analyst | $117,380 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $128,004 |
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.
Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,966 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Des Moines-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- West Des Moines, IA – 8.9 mi away (64,560 pop)
- Johnston, IA – 9.6 mi away (21,114 pop)
- Urbandale, IA – 10.0 mi away (43,018 pop)
- Ankeny, IA – 10.7 mi away (58,627 pop)
- Ames, IA – 31.4 mi away (67,841 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Des Moines, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Des Moines. The closest is Grand View University in Des Moines, IA (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marshalltown Community College (46.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Des Moines?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Des Moines are: Attorney ($118,750), Information Security Analyst ($117,380), Police Supervisor ($117,020). 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 West Des Moines instead of Des Moines?
West Des Moines, IA is 8.9 miles from Des Moines 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 Des Moines an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Des Moines’s median household income of $63,966 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Des Moines 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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