Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in South Portland, ME (2026)
South Portland, Maine has a population of about 26,780. The city’s median household income is $84,563 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of South Portland, with tuition ranging from $7,200 to $22,016 per year. In Maine, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $156,770 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to South Portland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from South Portland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Standish, ME | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York County Community College | Wells, ME | 27.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | 34.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Great Bay Community College | Portsmouth, NH | 46.3 mi | $7,200 - $22,016 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near South Portland
South Portland is part of the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area (BLS area code 38860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maine statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $102,250 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $100,343 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,770 | ME statewide | $153,847 |
| Police Supervisor | $99,480 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $97,625 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $78,360 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $76,899 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $69,550 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $68,253 |
| Correctional Officer | $55,010 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $53,984 |
| Probation Officer | $63,860 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $62,669 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,710 | ME statewide | $67,429 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $62,410 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $61,246 |
| Information Security Analyst | $92,880 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $91,148 |
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.
South Portland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,780 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $84,563 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other South Portland-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Portland, ME – 3.3 mi away (206,193 pop)
- Biddeford, ME – 13.9 mi away (21,362 pop)
- Sanford, ME – 27.4 mi away (29,139 pop)
- Auburn, ME – 31.4 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Lewiston, ME – 32.4 mi away (58,664 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near South Portland, ME?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of South Portland. The closest is Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, ME (3.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Great Bay Community College (46.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near South Portland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near South Portland are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,770), Attorney ($102,250), Police Supervisor ($99,480). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maine statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Portland instead of South Portland?
Portland, ME is 3.3 miles from South Portland 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 South Portland an affordable place to study criminal justice?
South Portland’s median household income of $84,563 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in South Portland while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maine 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 Maine
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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