Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jackson, MI (2026)

Jackson, Michigan has a population of about 31,206. The city’s median household income is $42,848 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 15.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jackson, with tuition ranging from $29,778 to $54,950 per year. In Michigan, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $126,600 annually (BLS, May 2024).


Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Jackson

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Jackson city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Jackson CollegeJackson, MI5.4 miContact school for pricing
Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI8.2 mi$32,580 - $43,178
Adrian CollegeAdrian, MI29.6 mi$40,556 - $54,950
The University of OlivetOlivet, MI29.9 miContact school for pricing
Siena Heights UniversityAdrian, MI30.5 mi$29,778 - $42,802

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan criminal justice page.


Criminal Justice Wages Near Jackson

Jackson is part of the Jackson, MI metro area (BLS area code 27100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Attorney$126,600MI statewide$137,908
Judge or Magistrate$51,250MI statewide$55,828
Police Supervisor$96,300Jackson, MI$104,902
Detective or Criminal Investigator$92,560MI statewide$100,828
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$66,080Jackson, MI$71,983
Correctional Officer$65,250MI statewide$71,078
Probation Officer$79,230MI statewide$86,307
Forensic Science Technician$69,040MI statewide$75,207
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$57,510Jackson, MI$62,647
Information Security Analyst$104,540MI statewide$113,878

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.


Jackson at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population31,206Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$42,848Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+15.3%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)91.8 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024

Other Jackson-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Jackson, MI?

Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jackson. The closest is Jackson College in Jackson, MI (5.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Siena Heights University (30.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jackson?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jackson are: Attorney ($126,600), Information Security Analyst ($104,540), Police Supervisor ($96,300). 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 Adrian instead of Jackson?

Adrian, MI is 30.0 miles from Jackson 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 Jackson an affordable place to study criminal justice?

Jackson’s median household income of $42,848 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jackson 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.