Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Benton Harbor, MI (2026)
Benton Harbor, Michigan has a population of about 9,023. The city’s median household income is $29,652 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 7.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Benton Harbor, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $42,276 per year. In the Niles, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $121,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Benton Harbor
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Benton Harbor city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor, MI | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 21.4 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
| Bethel University | Mishawaka, IN | 33.1 mi | $33,320 - $42,276 | – |
| Indiana University-South Bend | South Bend, IN | 33.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 40.0 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 Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor is part of the Niles, MI metro area (BLS area code 35660). 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 | $121,230 | Niles, MI | $131,201 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,250 | MI statewide | $55,465 |
| Police Supervisor | $96,690 | Niles, MI | $104,643 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $92,560 | MI statewide | $100,173 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $69,890 | Niles, MI | $75,639 |
| Correctional Officer | $65,250 | MI statewide | $70,617 |
| Probation Officer | $79,230 | MI statewide | $85,747 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $74,719 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,130 | Niles, MI | $52,089 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,540 | MI statewide | $113,139 |
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.
Benton Harbor at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,023 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $29,652 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 7.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Benton Harbor-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- South Bend, IN – 31.7 mi away (279,698 pop)
- LaPorte, IN – 37.7 mi away (21,732 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 38.5 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Portage, MI – 44.3 mi away (48,508 pop)
- Kalamazoo, MI – 45.4 mi away (214,583 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Benton Harbor, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Benton Harbor. The closest is Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, MI (3.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kalamazoo Valley Community College (40.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Benton Harbor?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Benton Harbor are: Attorney ($121,230), Information Security Analyst ($104,540), Police Supervisor ($96,690). 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 South Bend instead of Benton Harbor?
South Bend, IN is 31.7 miles from Benton Harbor 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 Benton Harbor an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Benton Harbor’s median household income of $29,652 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Benton Harbor 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
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