Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sterling Heights, MI (2026)
Sterling Heights, Michigan has a population of about 133,473. The city’s median household income is $78,429 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sterling Heights, with tuition ranging from $14,297 to $30,419 per year. In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $128,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sterling Heights
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Sterling Heights city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | 6.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills, MI | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills, MI | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, MI | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | 15.6 mi | $14,297 - $30,419 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area (BLS area code 19820). 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 | $128,060 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $127,677 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $52,260 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $52,104 |
| Police Supervisor | $99,130 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $98,833 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $98,340 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $98,046 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $79,240 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $79,003 |
| Correctional Officer | $65,250 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $65,055 |
| Probation Officer | $79,230 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $78,993 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $68,833 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $64,490 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $64,297 |
| Information Security Analyst | $105,260 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $104,945 |
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.
Sterling Heights at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,429 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sterling Heights-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Troy, MI – 5.9 mi away (83,641 pop)
- Warren, MI – 6.1 mi away (135,125 pop)
- Madison Heights, MI – 6.3 mi away (30,088 pop)
- Roseville, MI – 7.0 mi away (47,602 pop)
- Royal Oak, MI – 8.0 mi away (59,006 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Sterling Heights, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sterling Heights. The closest is Macomb Community College in Warren, MI (6.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Wayne State University (15.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Sterling Heights?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Sterling Heights are: Attorney ($128,060), Information Security Analyst ($105,260), Police Supervisor ($99,130). 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 Troy instead of Sterling Heights?
Troy, MI is 5.9 miles from Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sterling Heights’s median household income of $78,429 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sterling Heights 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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