Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hays, KS (2026)
Hays, Kansas has a population of about 21,078. The city’s median household income is $56,861 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 43.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hays, with tuition ranging from $32,200 to $44,836 per year. In Kansas, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $148,910 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Hays
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Hays city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University | Hays, KS | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS | 45.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Sterling College | Sterling, KS | 75.5 mi | $32,200 - $44,836 | – |
| Dodge City Community College | Dodge City, KS | 85.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | 91.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kansas schools on the Kansas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Hays
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Kansas, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $112,000 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $148,910 |
| Police Supervisor | $82,220 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $68,180 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $56,610 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,080 |
| Probation Officer | $56,120 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,150 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,910 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,420 |
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.
Hays at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,861 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 43.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Hays-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Dodge City, KS – 86.1 mi away (27,429 pop)
- Salina, KS – 91.9 mi away (47,123 pop)
- Hutchinson, KS – 94.9 mi away (43,507 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Hays, KS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hays. The closest is Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Salina Area Technical College (91.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Kansas?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Kansas are: Judge or Magistrate ($148,910), Attorney ($112,000), Information Security Analyst ($99,420). Wages for Hays workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Dodge City instead of Hays?
Dodge City, KS is 86.1 miles from Hays 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 Hays an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Hays’s median household income of $56,861 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hays while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kansas 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 Kansas
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Kansas (2026)
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