Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Waterloo, IA (2026)
Waterloo, Iowa has a population of about 66,947. The city’s median household income is $56,344 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Waterloo, with tuition ranging from $5,304 to $13,993 per year. In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $112,310 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Waterloo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Waterloo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA | 5.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marshalltown Community College | Marshalltown, IA | 44.4 mi | $5,304 - $13,993 | – |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls, IA | 46.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids, IA | 49.1 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 Waterloo
Waterloo is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area (BLS area code 47940). 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 | $111,080 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $127,532 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | IA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $112,310 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $128,944 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | IA statewide | $88,909 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $84,730 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $97,279 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,560 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,196 |
| Probation Officer | $93,720 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $107,600 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,650 | IA statewide | $73,077 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,770 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $57,141 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,630 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $107,497 |
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.
Waterloo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,947 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,344 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Waterloo-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Cedar Falls, IA – 5.5 mi away (41,390 pop)
- Marshalltown, IA – 42.5 mi away (26,640 pop)
- Marion, IA – 49.9 mi away (38,480 pop)
- Cedar Rapids, IA – 50.1 mi away (184,610 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 62.5 mi away (26,487 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Waterloo, IA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Waterloo. The closest is Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA (4.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mount Mercy University (49.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Waterloo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Waterloo are: Police Supervisor ($112,310), Attorney ($111,080), Probation Officer ($93,720). 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 Cedar Falls instead of Waterloo?
Cedar Falls, IA is 5.5 miles from Waterloo 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 Waterloo an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Waterloo’s median household income of $56,344 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waterloo 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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