Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rockville, MD (2026)
Rockville, Maryland has a population of about 67,218. The city’s median household income is $122,384 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 64.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rockville, with tuition ranging from $33,344 to $71,549 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 Rockville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rockville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery College | Rockville, MD | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American University | Washington, DC | 10.7 mi | $56,543 - $71,549 | – |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Adelphi, MD | 12.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marymount University | Arlington, VA | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 13.3 mi | $33,344 - $51,450 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Maryland schools on the Maryland criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Rockville
Rockville 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.
Rockville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,218 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $122,384 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 64.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rockville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Gaithersburg, MD – 4.7 mi away (67,776 pop)
- College Park, MD – 13.3 mi away (32,275 pop)
- Washington, DC – 14.4 mi away (5,191,844 pop)
- Herndon, VA – 14.7 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Greenbelt, MD – 15.6 mi away (23,909 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rockville, MD?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rockville. The closest is Montgomery College in Rockville, MD (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Howard University (13.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rockville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rockville 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 Gaithersburg instead of Rockville?
Gaithersburg, MD is 4.7 miles from Rockville 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 Rockville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rockville’s median household income of $122,384 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rockville 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Maryland (2026)
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