Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Manhattan, KS (2026)
Manhattan, Kansas has a population of about 53,951. The city’s median household income is $58,441 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 52.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Manhattan, with tuition ranging from $9,578 to $20,949 per year for indexed programs. 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 Manhattan
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 10 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Manhattan. Distances are calculated from Manhattan city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn University | Topeka, KS | 49.6 mi | $9,578 - $20,949 | – |
| Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka, KS | 50.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Emporia State University | Emporia, KS | 58.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, KS | 59.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | 61.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethany College | Lindsborg, KS | 71.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Christian College of Kansas | McPherson, KS | 81.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highland Community College | Highland, KS | 84.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS | 96.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 99.6 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 Manhattan
Manhattan is part of the Manhattan, KS metro area (BLS area code 31740). 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 | $122,520 | Manhattan, KS | $135,831 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $148,910 | KS statewide | $165,089 |
| Police Supervisor | $69,200 | Manhattan, KS | $76,718 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $68,180 | KS statewide | $75,588 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $48,350 | Manhattan, KS | $53,603 |
| Correctional Officer | $37,440 | Manhattan, KS | $41,508 |
| Probation Officer | $56,120 | KS statewide | $62,217 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,150 | KS statewide | $83,315 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,090 | Manhattan, KS | $49,989 |
| 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.
Manhattan at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 53,951 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,441 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 52.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Manhattan-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Junction City, KS – 17.2 mi away (40,157 pop)
- Topeka, KS – 49.9 mi away (149,220 pop)
- Emporia, KS – 58.7 mi away (24,730 pop)
- Salina, KS – 60.1 mi away (47,123 pop)
- Lawrence, KS – 73.6 mi away (95,800 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Manhattan, KS?
Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Manhattan. The closest is Washburn University in Topeka, KS (49.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kansas City Kansas Community College (99.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Manhattan?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Manhattan are: Judge or Magistrate ($148,910), Attorney ($122,520), 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 Junction City instead of Manhattan?
Junction City, KS is 17.2 miles from Manhattan 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 Manhattan an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Manhattan’s median household income of $58,441 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Manhattan 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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