Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Dubuque, IA (2026)
Dubuque, Iowa has a population of about 59,271. The city’s median household income is $64,985 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Dubuque, with tuition ranging from $4,696 to $48,380 per year. In Iowa, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $112,950 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Dubuque
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Dubuque city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Loras College | Dubuque, IA | 1.3 mi | $38,298 - $48,380 | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 19.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Fennimore, WI | 33.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Freeport, IL | 55.1 mi | $4,696 - $12,397 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Iowa schools on the Iowa criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Dubuque
Dubuque is part of the Dubuque, IA metro area (BLS area code 20220). 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 | $101,490 | Dubuque, IA | $116,254 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $103,120 | Dubuque, IA | $118,121 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | IA statewide | $88,706 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $73,900 | Dubuque, IA | $84,651 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,420 | IA statewide | $58,900 |
| Probation Officer | $78,640 | IA statewide | $90,080 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 | IA statewide | $72,910 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $56,370 | Dubuque, IA | $64,570 |
| Information Security Analyst | $112,950 | IA statewide | $129,381 |
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.
Dubuque at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,271 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,985 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Dubuque-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Clinton, IA – 51.3 mi away (30,930 pop)
- Marion, IA – 54.9 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Freeport, IL – 56.6 mi away (24,717 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 61.9 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 65.5 mi away (288,233 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Dubuque, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Dubuque. The closest is University of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highland Community College (55.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Dubuque?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Dubuque are: Information Security Analyst ($112,950), Police Supervisor ($103,120), Attorney ($101,490). 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 Clinton instead of Dubuque?
Clinton, IA is 51.3 miles from Dubuque 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 Dubuque an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Dubuque’s median household income of $64,985 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dubuque 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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