Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Portage, MI (2026)
Portage, Michigan has a population of about 49,015. The city’s median household income is $79,529 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 48.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Portage, with tuition ranging from $6,026 to $28,655 per year. In the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $108,320 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Portage
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Portage city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 5.8 mi | $15,298 - $28,655 | – |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek, MI | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac, MI | 30.0 mi | $6,026 - $14,999 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Portage
Portage is part of the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area (BLS area code 28020). 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 | $104,710 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $110,454 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,250 | MI statewide | $54,061 |
| Police Supervisor | $96,640 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $101,941 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $85,800 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $90,506 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $71,100 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $75,000 |
| Correctional Officer | $65,250 | MI statewide | $68,829 |
| Probation Officer | $79,230 | MI statewide | $83,576 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $72,827 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,130 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $52,880 |
| Information Security Analyst | $108,320 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $114,262 |
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.
Portage at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,015 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,529 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 48.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Portage-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Kalamazoo, MI – 5.2 mi away (214,583 pop)
- Battle Creek, MI – 19.7 mi away (77,174 pop)
- Elkhart, IN – 40.0 mi away (147,181 pop)
- Benton Harbor, MI – 44.3 mi away (60,298 pop)
- Holland, MI – 47.0 mi away (101,421 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Portage, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Portage. The closest is Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, MI (5.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwestern Michigan College (30.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Portage?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Portage are: Information Security Analyst ($108,320), Attorney ($104,710), Police Supervisor ($96,640). 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 Kalamazoo instead of Portage?
Kalamazoo, MI is 5.2 miles from Portage 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 Portage an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Portage’s median household income of $79,529 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Portage 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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