Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Fort Dodge, IA (2026)
Fort Dodge, Iowa has a population of about 24,788. The city’s median household income is $61,769 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Fort Dodge, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $27,683 per year for indexed programs. 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 Fort Dodge
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 14 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Fort Dodge. Distances are calculated from Fort Dodge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | 2.0 mi | $5,376 - $15,405 | – |
| Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 42.9 mi | $10,497 - $27,683 | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 46.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake, IA | 53.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waldorf University | Forest City, IA | 58.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand View University | Des Moines, IA | 68.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 69.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville, IA | 70.1 mi | $7,196 - $17,834 | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 73.7 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 Fort Dodge
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Iowa, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $107,870 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A |
| Police Supervisor | $100,550 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $73,900 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,420 |
| Probation Officer | $78,640 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $53,280 |
| Information Security Analyst | $112,950 |
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.
Fort Dodge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,788 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,769 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Fort Dodge-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Ames, IA – 43.6 mi away (67,841 pop)
- Ankeny, IA – 61.5 mi away (58,627 pop)
- Johnston, IA – 61.6 mi away (21,114 pop)
- Urbandale, IA – 63.5 mi away (43,018 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 66.3 mi away (26,487 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Fort Dodge, IA?
Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Fort Dodge. The closest is Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, IA (2.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marshalltown Community College (73.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Iowa?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Iowa are: Information Security Analyst ($112,950), Attorney ($107,870), Police Supervisor ($100,550). Wages for Fort Dodge workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Ames instead of Fort Dodge?
Ames, IA is 43.6 miles from Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Fort Dodge’s median household income of $61,769 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Dodge 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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