Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New Bedford, MA (2026)
New Bedford, Massachusetts has a population of about 100,731. The city’s median household income is $56,025 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Bedford. In Massachusetts, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $221,710 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to New Bedford
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from New Bedford city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roger Williams University | Bristol, RI | 16.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, MA | 22.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salve Regina University | Newport, RI | 23.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 27.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near New Bedford
New Bedford is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Massachusetts statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $128,490 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $126,218 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $221,710 | MA statewide | $217,790 |
| Police Supervisor | $95,430 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $93,743 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $88,780 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $87,210 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,280 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $75,914 |
| Correctional Officer | $60,170 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,106 |
| Probation Officer | $95,450 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $93,762 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,210 | MA statewide | $73,880 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $54,540 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $53,576 |
| Information Security Analyst | $109,410 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $107,475 |
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.
New Bedford at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,731 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $56,025 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other New Bedford-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Fall River, MA – 8.7 mi away (88,930 pop)
- Taunton, MA – 17.9 mi away (56,843 pop)
- East Providence, RI – 23.3 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Newport, RI – 23.5 mi away (24,779 pop)
- Warwick, RI – 25.4 mi away (81,579 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near New Bedford, MA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of New Bedford. The closest is Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA (9.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Johnson & Wales University-Providence (27.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near New Bedford?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near New Bedford are: Judge or Magistrate ($221,710), Attorney ($128,490), Information Security Analyst ($109,410). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Massachusetts statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fall River instead of New Bedford?
Fall River, MA is 8.7 miles from New Bedford 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 New Bedford an affordable place to study criminal justice?
New Bedford’s median household income of $56,025 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in New Bedford while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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