Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Opelousas, LA (2026)
Opelousas, Louisiana has a population of about 15,662. The city’s median household income is $36,260 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 10.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Opelousas, with tuition ranging from $4,221 to $26,076 per year. In Louisiana, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $112,600 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Opelousas
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Opelousas city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University-Eunice | Eunice, LA | 21.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Louisiana Community College | Lafayette, LA | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, LA | 21.9 mi | $10,418 - $24,631 | – |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 53.0 mi | $9,940 - $26,076 | – |
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | 56.8 mi | $4,221 - $16,303 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Louisiana schools on the Louisiana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Opelousas
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Louisiana, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $112,600 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $70,610 |
| Police Supervisor | $69,790 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $59,500 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $50,580 |
| Correctional Officer | $41,820 |
| Probation Officer | $59,010 |
| Forensic Science Technician | N/A |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,580 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,200 |
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.
Opelousas at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,662 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $36,260 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 10.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Opelousas-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lafayette, LA – 22.2 mi away (267,376 pop)
- Abbeville, LA – 38.3 mi away (20,139 pop)
- New Iberia, LA – 39.4 mi away (30,386 pop)
- Baton Rouge, LA – 57.1 mi away (589,675 pop)
- Alexandria, LA – 57.5 mi away (82,995 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Opelousas, LA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Opelousas. The closest is Louisiana State University-Eunice in Eunice, LA (21.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Baton Rouge Community College (56.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Louisiana?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Louisiana are: Attorney ($112,600), Information Security Analyst ($88,200), Judge or Magistrate ($70,610). Wages for Opelousas workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Lafayette instead of Opelousas?
Lafayette, LA is 22.2 miles from Opelousas 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 Opelousas an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Opelousas’s median household income of $36,260 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Opelousas 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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