Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lawrence, KS (2026)
Lawrence, Kansas has a population of about 95,459. The city’s median household income is $62,838 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lawrence, with tuition ranging from $9,578 to $20,949 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 Lawrence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Lawrence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka, KS | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Washburn University | Topeka, KS | 24.0 mi | $9,578 - $20,949 | – |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe, KS | 26.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 29.8 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 Lawrence
Lawrence is part of the Lawrence, KS metro area (BLS area code 29940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $95,560 | Lawrence, KS | $105,942 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $148,910 | KS statewide | $165,089 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,480 | Lawrence, KS | $111,397 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $68,180 | KS statewide | $75,588 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $62,090 | Lawrence, KS | $68,836 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,080 | KS statewide | $51,086 |
| Probation Officer | $56,120 | KS statewide | $62,217 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,150 | KS statewide | $83,315 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,510 | Lawrence, KS | $52,672 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,420 | KS statewide | $110,222 |
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.
Lawrence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,459 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,838 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lawrence-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Gardner, KS – 20.6 mi away (21,110 pop)
- Topeka, KS – 23.7 mi away (149,220 pop)
- Olathe, KS – 24.5 mi away (135,473 pop)
- Shawnee, KS – 24.8 mi away (65,194 pop)
- Lenexa, KS – 24.8 mi away (52,903 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Lawrence, KS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lawrence. The closest is Rasmussen University-Kansas in Topeka, KS (23.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kansas City Kansas Community College (29.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lawrence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lawrence are: Judge or Magistrate ($148,910), Police Supervisor ($100,480), Information Security Analyst ($99,420). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Gardner instead of Lawrence?
Gardner, KS is 20.6 miles from Lawrence 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 Lawrence an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lawrence’s median household income of $62,838 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lawrence 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
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