Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in East Lansing, MI (2026)
East Lansing, Michigan has a population of about 45,394. The city’s median household income is $43,547 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 67.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of East Lansing, with tuition ranging from $32,580 to $43,178 per year. In the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $127,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to East Lansing
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from East Lansing city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing, MI | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Olivet | Olivet, MI | 30.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI | 37.6 mi | $32,580 - $43,178 | – |
| Jackson College | Jackson, MI | 40.5 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 East Lansing
East Lansing is part of the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area (BLS area code 29620). 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 | $127,270 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $133,968 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,250 | MI statewide | $53,947 |
| Police Supervisor | $95,270 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $100,284 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $84,660 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $89,116 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,070 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $80,074 |
| Correctional Officer | $59,660 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $62,800 |
| Probation Officer | $79,230 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $83,400 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $72,674 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,590 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $61,674 |
| Information Security Analyst | $94,670 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $99,653 |
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.
East Lansing at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,394 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,547 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 67.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other East Lansing-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lansing, MI – 4.5 mi away (318,278 pop)
- Owosso, MI – 23.1 mi away (21,653 pop)
- Jackson, MI – 35.1 mi away (88,394 pop)
- Flint, MI – 44.3 mi away (338,616 pop)
- South Lyon, MI – 46.7 mi away (123,555 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near East Lansing, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of East Lansing. The closest is Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jackson College (40.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near East Lansing?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near East Lansing are: Attorney ($127,270), Police Supervisor ($95,270), Information Security Analyst ($94,670). 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 Lansing instead of East Lansing?
Lansing, MI is 4.5 miles from East Lansing 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 East Lansing an affordable place to study criminal justice?
East Lansing’s median household income of $43,547 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in East Lansing 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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