Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Baltimore, MD (2026)
Baltimore, Maryland has a population of about 577,193. The city’s median household income is $59,623 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Baltimore. In the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $181,320 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Baltimore
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Baltimore city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | 0.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coppin State University | Baltimore, MD | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baltimore City Community College | Baltimore, MD | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Goucher College | Baltimore, MD | 7.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore, MD | 8.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Baltimore
Baltimore is part of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area (BLS area code 12580). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Maryland statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $139,380 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $133,378 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $181,320 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $173,512 |
| Police Supervisor | $119,290 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $114,153 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $125,630 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $120,220 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,440 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $74,105 |
| Correctional Officer | $62,380 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $59,694 |
| Probation Officer | $71,720 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $68,632 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,200 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $73,876 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $68,390 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $65,445 |
| Information Security Analyst | $136,050 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $130,191 |
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.
Baltimore at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,623 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Baltimore-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Laurel, MD – 19.7 mi away (25,853 pop)
- Annapolis, MD – 23.9 mi away (39,418 pop)
- Bowie, MD – 25.0 mi away (58,393 pop)
- Greenbelt, MD – 26.0 mi away (23,909 pop)
- College Park, MD – 27.3 mi away (32,275 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Baltimore, MD?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Baltimore. The closest is University of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD (0.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Community College of Baltimore County (8.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Baltimore?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Baltimore are: Judge or Magistrate ($181,320), Attorney ($139,380), Information Security Analyst ($136,050). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Maryland statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Laurel instead of Baltimore?
Laurel, MD is 19.7 miles from Baltimore 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 Baltimore an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Baltimore’s median household income of $59,623 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Baltimore while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Maryland 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 Maryland
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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