Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Northampton, MA (2026)
Northampton, Massachusetts has a population of about 28,640. The city’s median household income is $78,467 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 61.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Northampton, with tuition ranging from $5,520 to $26,435 per year. 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 Northampton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Northampton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Holyoke Community College | Holyoke, MA | 9.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | Chicopee, MA | 13.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Westfield State University | Westfield, MA | 14.7 mi | $11,882 - $26,435 | – |
| Springfield Technical Community College | Springfield, MA | 15.7 mi | $5,520 - $14,223 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Massachusetts schools on the Massachusetts criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Northampton
Northampton is part of the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area (BLS area code 11200). 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 | $98,130 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $97,934 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $221,710 | MA statewide | $221,267 |
| Police Supervisor | $95,990 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $95,798 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $111,460 | MA statewide | $111,238 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $74,970 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $74,820 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,830 | MA statewide | $78,673 |
| Probation Officer | $90,700 | MA statewide | $90,519 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,210 | MA statewide | $75,060 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,890 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $59,770 |
| Information Security Analyst | $127,610 | MA statewide | $127,355 |
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.
Northampton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,640 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,467 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 61.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.2 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Northampton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Holyoke, MA – 8.1 mi away (40,280 pop)
- Chicopee, MA – 11.6 mi away (55,991 pop)
- Westfield, MA – 13.7 mi away (41,552 pop)
- Springfield, MA – 16.1 mi away (625,300 pop)
- Pittsfield, MA – 31.1 mi away (56,628 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Northampton, MA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Northampton. The closest is University of Massachusetts-Amherst in Amherst, MA (8.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Springfield Technical Community College (15.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Northampton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Northampton are: Judge or Magistrate ($221,710), Information Security Analyst ($127,610), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($111,460). 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 Holyoke instead of Northampton?
Holyoke, MA is 8.1 miles from Northampton 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 Northampton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Northampton’s median household income of $78,467 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Northampton 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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