Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Iowa City, IA (2026)
Iowa City, Iowa has a population of about 75,264. The city’s median household income is $57,533 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 60.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Iowa City, with tuition ranging from $5,980 to $14,797 per year. In the Iowa City, IA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $111,160 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Iowa City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Iowa City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 19.2 mi | $5,980 - $14,797 | – |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport, IA | 49.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | 50.1 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 Iowa City
Iowa City is part of the Iowa City, IA metro area (BLS area code 26980). 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 | $105,680 | Iowa City, IA | $115,497 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $110,000 | Iowa City, IA | $120,219 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | IA statewide | $84,634 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,090 | Iowa City, IA | $84,251 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,140 | Iowa City, IA | $58,077 |
| Probation Officer | $78,480 | Iowa City, IA | $85,770 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 | IA statewide | $69,563 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $52,000 | Iowa City, IA | $56,831 |
| Information Security Analyst | $111,160 | Iowa City, IA | $121,486 |
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.
Iowa City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,264 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,533 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 60.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Iowa City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Coralville, IA – 4.5 mi away (20,397 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 22.8 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Marion, IA – 27.0 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Muscatine, IA – 29.0 mi away (26,481 pop)
- Davenport, IA – 48.3 mi away (288,233 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Iowa City, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Iowa City. The closest is Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA (19.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Eastern Iowa Community College District (50.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Iowa City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Iowa City are: Information Security Analyst ($111,160), Police Supervisor ($110,000), Attorney ($105,680). 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 Coralville instead of Iowa City?
Coralville, IA is 4.5 miles from Iowa City 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 Iowa City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Iowa City’s median household income of $57,533 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Iowa City 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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