Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of about 376,035. The city’s median household income is $55,339 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 42.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Orleans, with tuition ranging from $4,203 to $20,893 per year. In the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $131,220 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to New Orleans
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from New Orleans city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern University at New Orleans | New Orleans, LA | 7.5 mi | $7,490 - $20,893 | – |
| Dillard University | New Orleans, LA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans, LA | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-New Orleans | Metairie, LA | 14.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northshore Technical Community College | Lacombe, LA | 16.9 mi | $4,203 - $15,772 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near New Orleans
New Orleans is part of the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area (BLS area code 35380). 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 | $131,220 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $141,706 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $109,450 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $118,197 |
| Police Supervisor | $81,650 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $88,175 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $69,190 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $74,719 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $54,510 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $58,866 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,970 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $55,043 |
| Probation Officer | $56,520 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $61,037 |
| Forensic Science Technician | N/A | LA statewide | – |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $46,680 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $50,410 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,700 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $110,907 |
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.
New Orleans at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,339 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 42.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other New Orleans-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Slidell, LA – 17.5 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Kenner, LA – 19.9 mi away (67,089 pop)
- Mandeville, LA – 23.3 mi away (95,576 pop)
- Hammond, LA – 43.6 mi away (69,616 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 56.9 mi away (222,131 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near New Orleans, LA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Orleans. The closest is Southern University at New Orleans in New Orleans, LA (7.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northshore Technical Community College (16.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near New Orleans?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near New Orleans are: Attorney ($131,220), Judge or Magistrate ($109,450), Information Security Analyst ($102,700). 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 Slidell instead of New Orleans?
Slidell, LA is 17.5 miles from New Orleans 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 New Orleans an affordable place to study criminal justice?
New Orleans’s median household income of $55,339 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Orleans 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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