Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Covington, KY (2026)
Covington, Kentucky has a population of about 40,902. The city’s median household income is $58,814 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Covington. In the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $126,530 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Covington
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Covington city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas More University | Crestview Hills, KY | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Union Institute & University | Cincinnati, OH | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gateway Community and Technical College | Florence, KY | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Covington
Covington is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area (BLS area code 17140). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Kentucky statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $126,530 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $132,631 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $123,120 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $129,057 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,990 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $105,860 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $81,410 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $85,335 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $80,410 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $84,287 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,940 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,493 |
| Probation Officer | $58,910 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,751 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,280 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $67,379 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,200 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,151 |
| Information Security Analyst | $108,000 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $113,208 |
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.
Covington at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,902 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,814 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Covington-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Independence, KY – 5.9 mi away (27,024 pop)
- Cincinnati, OH – 7.5 mi away (1,634,573 pop)
- Florence, KY – 7.6 mi away (32,460 pop)
- Fairfield, OH – 20.5 mi away (42,617 pop)
- Hamilton, OH – 25.0 mi away (62,127 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Covington, KY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Covington. The closest is Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, KY (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (6.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Covington?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Covington are: Attorney ($126,530), Judge or Magistrate ($123,120), Information Security Analyst ($108,000). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Kentucky statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Independence instead of Covington?
Independence, KY is 5.9 miles from Covington 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 Covington an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Covington’s median household income of $58,814 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Covington while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kentucky 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 Kentucky
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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