Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bay City, MI (2026)
Bay City, Michigan has a population of about 32,445. The city’s median household income is $47,904 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 30 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Bay City. In Michigan, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $104,540 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Bay City
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 30 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Bay City. Distances are calculated from Bay City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta College | University Center, MI | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saginaw Valley State University | University Center, MI | 6.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwood University | Midland, MI | 19.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Flint, MI | 40.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mott Community College | Flint, MI | 40.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baker College | Owosso, MI | 44.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI | 44.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mid Michigan College | Harrison, MI | 50.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Montcalm Community College | Sidney, MI | 65.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 66.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Bay City
Bay City is part of the Bay City, MI metro area (BLS area code 13020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $99,630 | Bay City, MI | $108,411 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,250 | MI statewide | $55,767 |
| Police Supervisor | $99,130 | MI statewide | $107,867 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $92,560 | MI statewide | $100,718 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,240 | Bay City, MI | $76,431 |
| Correctional Officer | $60,640 | Bay City, MI | $65,985 |
| Probation Officer | $63,930 | Bay City, MI | $69,565 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $75,125 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,000 | Bay City, MI | $53,319 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,540 | MI statewide | $113,754 |
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.
Bay City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,445 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $47,904 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bay City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Saginaw, MI – 12.2 mi away (120,088 pop)
- Midland, MI – 17.3 mi away (59,343 pop)
- Flint, MI – 40.4 mi away (338,616 pop)
- Burton, MI – 43.2 mi away (28,648 pop)
- Owosso, MI – 43.6 mi away (21,653 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Bay City, MI?
Our directory has 30 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Bay City. The closest is Delta College in University Center, MI (5.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Michigan State University (66.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Bay City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Bay City are: Information Security Analyst ($104,540), Attorney ($99,630), Police Supervisor ($99,130). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Saginaw instead of Bay City?
Saginaw, MI is 12.2 miles from Bay City 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 Bay City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Bay City’s median household income of $47,904 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bay City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan 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 Michigan
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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