Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Waterville, ME (2026)
Waterville, Maine has a population of about 16,704. The city’s median household income is $47,489 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Waterville, with tuition ranging from $7,050 to $20,388 per year for indexed programs. 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 Waterville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 10 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Waterville. Distances are calculated from Waterville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas College | Waterville, ME | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta, ME | 15.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Maine Community College | Auburn, ME | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Husson University | Bangor, ME | 47.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Eastern Maine Community College | Bangor, ME | 49.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | Standish, ME | 64.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | 68.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland, ME | 68.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| White Mountains Community College | Berlin, NH | 73.7 mi | $7,050 - $20,388 | – |
| York County Community College | Wells, ME | 97.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maine schools on the Maine criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Waterville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Maine, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $100,340 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,770 |
| Police Supervisor | $87,160 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $80,750 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $65,330 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,270 |
| Probation Officer | $69,060 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,710 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,510 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,710 |
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.
Waterville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,704 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,489 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Waterville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Augusta, ME – 14.9 mi away (21,876 pop)
- Lewiston, ME – 40.0 mi away (58,664 pop)
- Auburn, ME – 43.0 mi away (22,948 pop)
- Bangor, ME – 47.2 mi away (59,259 pop)
- Portland, ME – 67.1 mi away (206,193 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Waterville, ME?
Our directory has 10 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Waterville. The closest is Thomas College in Waterville, ME (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is York County Community College (97.2 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Maine?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Maine are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,770), Attorney ($100,340), Information Security Analyst ($93,710). Wages for Waterville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Augusta instead of Waterville?
Augusta, ME is 14.9 miles from Waterville 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 Waterville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Waterville’s median household income of $47,489 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waterville 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
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.
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Maine (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Maine (2026)