Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sioux City, IA (2026)
Sioux City, Iowa has a population of about 85,651. The city’s median household income is $65,473 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sioux City, with tuition ranging from $38,190 to $50,429 per year. In the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $112,390 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sioux City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Sioux City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 2.1 mi | $38,190 - $50,429 | – |
| Western Iowa Tech Community College | Sioux City, IA | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, IA | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | 34.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne State College | Wayne, NE | 36.4 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 Sioux City
Sioux City is part of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metro area (BLS area code 43580). 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 | $112,390 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $129,931 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $106,060 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $122,613 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | IA statewide | $89,526 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $79,730 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $92,173 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,270 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,272 |
| Probation Officer | $66,500 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $76,879 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 | IA statewide | $73,584 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $51,910 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,012 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,180 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $123,908 |
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.
Sioux City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 85,651 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,473 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sioux City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Norfolk, NE – 61.6 mi away (26,921 pop)
- Fremont, NE – 73.0 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Sioux Falls, SD – 74.1 mi away (177,629 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 87.0 mi away (792,463 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 88.5 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Sioux City, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sioux City. The closest is Morningside University in Sioux City, IA (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne State College (36.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Sioux City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Sioux City are: Attorney ($112,390), Information Security Analyst ($107,180), Police Supervisor ($106,060). 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 Norfolk instead of Sioux City?
Norfolk, NE is 61.6 miles from Sioux 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 Sioux City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sioux City’s median household income of $65,473 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sioux 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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