Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Owensboro, KY (2026)
Owensboro, Kentucky has a population of about 60,112. The city’s median household income is $53,295 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Owensboro. In Kentucky, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $138,620 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Owensboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Owensboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Owensboro, KY | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Owensboro Community and Technical College | Owensboro, KY | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Evansville | Evansville, IN | 26.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | 28.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madisonville Community College | Madisonville, KY | 34.4 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 Owensboro
Owensboro is part of the Owensboro, KY metro area (BLS area code 36980). 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 | $100,550 | Owensboro, KY | $113,488 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $138,620 | KY statewide | $156,456 |
| Police Supervisor | $71,900 | Owensboro, KY | $81,151 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | KY statewide | $87,404 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $53,240 | Owensboro, KY | $60,090 |
| Correctional Officer | $38,300 | Owensboro, KY | $43,228 |
| Probation Officer | $55,910 | KY statewide | $63,104 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,230 | KY statewide | $65,722 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,510 | Owensboro, KY | $53,623 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,210 | KY statewide | $110,847 |
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.
Owensboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,112 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,295 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Owensboro-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Henderson, KY – 25.8 mi away (28,841 pop)
- Madisonville, KY – 35.7 mi away (24,565 pop)
- Radcliff, KY – 64.7 mi away (22,490 pop)
- Bowling Green, KY – 65.9 mi away (87,976 pop)
- Hopkinsville, KY – 66.5 mi away (32,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Owensboro, KY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Owensboro. The closest is Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Madisonville Community College (34.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Owensboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Owensboro are: Judge or Magistrate ($138,620), Attorney ($100,550), Information Security Analyst ($98,210). 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 Henderson instead of Owensboro?
Henderson, KY is 25.8 miles from Owensboro 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 Owensboro an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Owensboro’s median household income of $53,295 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Owensboro 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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