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. Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Opelousas, with tuition ranging from $4,221 to $27,314 per year for indexed programs. 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 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 14 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Opelousas. Distances are calculated from Opelousas city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State University-Eunice | Eunice, LA | 21.1 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 | 22.2 mi | $10,418 - $24,631 | – |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | Alexandria, LA | 49.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 53.3 mi | $9,940 - $26,076 | – |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Baton Rouge, LA | 54.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge, LA | 56.7 mi | $4,221 - $16,303 | – |
| Louisiana Christian University | Pineville, LA | 58.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University | Baton Rouge, LA | 58.7 mi | $15,690 - $27,314 | – |
| SOWELA Technical Community College | Lake Charles, LA | 67.7 mi | $4,265 - $16,402 | – |
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 schools are near Opelousas, LA?
Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Opelousas. The closest is Louisiana State University-Eunice in Eunice, LA (21.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SOWELA Technical Community College (67.7 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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