Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Traverse City, MI (2026)
Traverse City, Michigan has a population of about 15,491. The city’s median household income is $71,731 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Traverse City, with tuition ranging from $4,320 to $9,674 per year. In the Traverse City, MI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $118,730 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Traverse City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Traverse City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City, MI | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kirtland Community College | Grayling, MI | 45.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central Michigan College | Petoskey, MI | 52.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Shore Community College | Scottville, MI | 62.7 mi | $4,320 - $9,674 | – |
| Mid Michigan College | Harrison, MI | 65.2 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 Traverse City
Traverse City is part of the Traverse City, MI metro area (BLS area code 45900). 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 | $118,730 | Traverse City, MI | $127,120 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,250 | MI statewide | $54,872 |
| Police Supervisor | $95,200 | Traverse City, MI | $101,927 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $92,560 | MI statewide | $99,101 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,230 | Traverse City, MI | $75,193 |
| Correctional Officer | $60,090 | Traverse City, MI | $64,336 |
| Probation Officer | $70,250 | Traverse City, MI | $75,214 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $69,040 | MI statewide | $73,919 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $51,290 | Traverse City, MI | $54,914 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,540 | MI statewide | $111,927 |
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.
Traverse City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,491 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,731 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Traverse City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Mount Pleasant, MI – 89.9 mi away (37,877 pop)
- Escanaba, MI – 99.7 mi away (20,370 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Traverse City, MI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Traverse City. The closest is Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, MI (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mid Michigan College (65.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Traverse City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Traverse City are: Attorney ($118,730), Information Security Analyst ($104,540), Police Supervisor ($95,200). 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 Mount Pleasant instead of Traverse City?
Mount Pleasant, MI is 89.9 miles from Traverse City 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 Traverse City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Traverse City’s median household income of $71,731 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Traverse City 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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