Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Worcester, MA (2026)
Worcester, Massachusetts has a population of about 205,501. The city’s median household income is $67,544 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Worcester, with tuition ranging from $11,286 to $61,106 per year. In the Worcester, MA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $221,710 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Worcester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Worcester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | 1.8 mi | $11,286 - $21,586 | – |
| Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester, MA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA | 7.1 mi | $43,064 - $61,106 | – |
| Nichols College | Dudley, MA | 17.5 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 Worcester
Worcester is part of the Worcester, MA metro area (BLS area code 49340). 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 | $126,330 | Worcester, MA | $123,249 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $221,710 | Worcester, MA | $216,302 |
| Police Supervisor | $84,690 | Worcester, MA | $82,624 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $99,440 | Worcester, MA | $97,015 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $80,060 | Worcester, MA | $78,107 |
| Correctional Officer | $86,060 | Worcester, MA | $83,961 |
| Probation Officer | $93,930 | Worcester, MA | $91,639 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $75,210 | MA statewide | $73,376 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $68,180 | Worcester, MA | $66,517 |
| Information Security Analyst | $114,530 | Worcester, MA | $111,737 |
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.
Worcester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.5 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Worcester-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Marlborough, MA – 14.4 mi away (39,697 pop)
- Leominster, MA – 17.4 mi away (119,538 pop)
- Fitchburg, MA – 22.2 mi away (40,414 pop)
- Gardner, MA – 23.5 mi away (20,430 pop)
- Woonsocket, RI – 24.4 mi away (41,406 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Worcester, MA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Worcester. The closest is Clark University in Worcester, MA (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Nichols College (17.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Worcester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Worcester are: Judge or Magistrate ($221,710), Attorney ($126,330), Information Security Analyst ($114,530). 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 Marlborough instead of Worcester?
Marlborough, MA is 14.4 miles from Worcester 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 Worcester an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Worcester’s median household income of $67,544 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Worcester 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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