Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Baton Rouge, LA (2026)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana has a population of about 223,699. The city’s median household income is $49,944 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Baton Rouge, with tuition ranging from $4,219 to $26,076 per year. In the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $103,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Baton Rouge
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Baton Rouge city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | 0.5 mi | $4,221 - $16,303 | – |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 6.5 mi | $9,940 - $26,076 | – |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond, LA | 39.8 mi | $8,373 - $22,647 | – |
| Nicholls State University | Thibodaux, LA | 49.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fletcher Technical Community College | Schriever, LA | 51.9 mi | $4,219 - $16,674 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge is part of the Baton Rouge, LA metro area (BLS area code 12940). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Louisiana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $103,990 | Baton Rouge, LA | $114,526 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $70,610 | LA statewide | $77,764 |
| Police Supervisor | $74,120 | Baton Rouge, LA | $81,630 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $59,780 | Baton Rouge, LA | $65,837 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $51,000 | Baton Rouge, LA | $56,167 |
| Correctional Officer | $43,070 | Baton Rouge, LA | $47,434 |
| Probation Officer | $57,190 | Baton Rouge, LA | $62,985 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $60,270 | Baton Rouge, LA | $66,377 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,240 | Baton Rouge, LA | $55,330 |
| Information Security Analyst | $95,670 | Baton Rouge, LA | $105,363 |
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.
Baton Rouge at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,944 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Baton Rouge-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Central, LA – 9.9 mi away (28,529 pop)
- Hammond, LA – 40.5 mi away (69,616 pop)
- New Iberia, LA – 51.0 mi away (30,386 pop)
- Morgan City, LA – 51.1 mi away (30,061 pop)
- Lafayette, LA – 56.0 mi away (267,376 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Baton Rouge, LA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Baton Rouge. The closest is Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, LA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fletcher Technical Community College (51.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Baton Rouge?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Baton Rouge are: Attorney ($103,990), Information Security Analyst ($95,670), Police Supervisor ($74,120). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Louisiana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Central instead of Baton Rouge?
Central, LA is 9.9 miles from Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Baton Rouge’s median household income of $49,944 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Baton Rouge while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Louisiana 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 Louisiana
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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