Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Paducah, KY (2026)
Paducah, Kentucky has a population of about 26,894. The city’s median household income is $51,243 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Paducah. 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 Paducah
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Paducah city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 26.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 46.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | 51.6 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 Paducah
Paducah is part of the Paducah, KY-IL metro area (BLS area code 37140). 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 | $99,870 | Paducah, KY-IL | $115,993 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $138,620 | KY statewide | $160,999 |
| Police Supervisor | $88,000 | Paducah, KY-IL | $102,207 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | KY statewide | $89,942 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,650 | Paducah, KY-IL | $68,118 |
| Correctional Officer | $40,230 | KY statewide | $46,725 |
| Probation Officer | $55,910 | KY statewide | $64,936 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,230 | KY statewide | $67,631 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,180 | Paducah, KY-IL | $55,958 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,210 | KY statewide | $114,065 |
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.
Paducah at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,894 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,243 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Paducah-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Murray, KY – 36.2 mi away (20,431 pop)
- Cape Girardeau, MO – 53.1 mi away (55,253 pop)
- Carbondale, IL – 55.1 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Madisonville, KY – 65.5 mi away (24,565 pop)
- Hopkinsville, KY – 66.3 mi away (32,733 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Paducah, KY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Paducah. The closest is West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah, KY (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The University of Tennessee-Martin (51.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Paducah?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Paducah are: Judge or Magistrate ($138,620), Attorney ($99,870), 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 Murray instead of Paducah?
Murray, KY is 36.2 miles from Paducah 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 Paducah an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Paducah’s median household income of $51,243 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Paducah 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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