Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Frederick, MD (2026)
Frederick, Maryland has a population of about 80,617. The city’s median household income is $95,150 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Frederick, with tuition ranging from $49,647 to $62,974 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $191,880 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Frederick
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Frederick city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood College | Frederick, MD | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Frederick Community College | Frederick, MD | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, WV | 21.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hagerstown Community College | Hagerstown, MD | 21.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McDaniel College | Westminster, MD | 24.3 mi | $49,647 - $62,974 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Frederick
Frederick is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). 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 | $191,880 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,198 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $163,190 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $149,853 |
| Police Supervisor | $124,770 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,573 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $153,340 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $140,808 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $83,430 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,612 |
| Correctional Officer | $69,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,398 |
| Probation Officer | $68,750 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,131 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $80,300 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,737 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $80,550 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,967 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,410 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $127,098 |
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.
Frederick at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,617 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $95,150 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Frederick-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hagerstown, MD – 21.7 mi away (186,377 pop)
- Gaithersburg, MD – 23.3 mi away (67,776 pop)
- Waynesboro, PA – 23.8 mi away (26,593 pop)
- Leesburg, VA – 23.8 mi away (52,607 pop)
- Charles Town, WV – 26.3 mi away (23,759 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Frederick, MD?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Frederick. The closest is Hood College in Frederick, MD (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McDaniel College (24.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Frederick?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Frederick are: Attorney ($191,880), Judge or Magistrate ($163,190), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($153,340). 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 Hagerstown instead of Frederick?
Hagerstown, MD is 21.7 miles from Frederick 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 Frederick an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Frederick’s median household income of $95,150 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Frederick 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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