Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)
Grand Rapids, Michigan has a population of about 197,768. The city’s median household income is $65,526 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Grand Rapids. In the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $130,810 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Grand Rapids
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Rapids city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids, MI | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | 11.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon, MI | 33.7 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 Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area (BLS area code 24340). 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 | $130,810 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $136,974 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $48,700 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $50,995 |
| Police Supervisor | $97,770 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $102,377 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $96,740 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $101,298 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,470 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $81,120 |
| Correctional Officer | $65,250 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $68,325 |
| Probation Officer | $79,230 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $82,963 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $76,450 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $80,052 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $66,850 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $70,000 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,650 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $98,063 |
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.
Grand Rapids at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,526 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Grand Rapids-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Walker, MI – 4.8 mi away (24,775 pop)
- Wyoming, MI – 5.5 mi away (75,567 pop)
- Kentwood, MI – 6.2 mi away (51,689 pop)
- Holland, MI – 26.1 mi away (101,421 pop)
- Norton Shores, MI – 33.1 mi away (24,340 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Grand Rapids, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Grand Rapids. The closest is Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Muskegon Community College (33.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Grand Rapids?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Grand Rapids are: Attorney ($130,810), Police Supervisor ($97,770), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($96,740). 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 Walker instead of Grand Rapids?
Walker, MI is 4.8 miles from Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Grand Rapids’s median household income of $65,526 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Rapids 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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