Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Apple Valley, MN (2026)
Apple Valley, Minnesota has a population of about 55,696. The city’s median household income is $99,277 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Apple Valley. In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $182,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Apple Valley
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Apple Valley city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 8.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Inver Hills Community College | Inver Grove Heights, MN | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St Catherine University | Saint Paul, MN | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of St Thomas | Saint Paul, MN | 13.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Saint Paul | Saint Paul, MN | 14.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Minnesota schools on the Minnesota criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Apple Valley
Apple Valley is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area (BLS area code 33460). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Minnesota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $150,110 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $143,235 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $182,790 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $174,418 |
| Police Supervisor | $108,040 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $103,092 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $84,340 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,477 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $95,920 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,527 |
| Correctional Officer | $75,410 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $71,956 |
| Probation Officer | $77,750 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,189 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $73,070 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,723 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $74,750 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $71,326 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,380 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $123,454 |
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.
Apple Valley at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,696 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $99,277 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 104.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Apple Valley-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Burnsville, MN – 4.1 mi away (61,290 pop)
- Eagan, MN – 5.2 mi away (66,428 pop)
- Lakeville, MN – 5.3 mi away (61,938 pop)
- Farmington, MN – 6.3 mi away (22,656 pop)
- Rosemount, MN – 6.6 mi away (23,911 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Apple Valley, MN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Apple Valley. The closest is Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN (8.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Concordia University-Saint Paul (14.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Apple Valley?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Apple Valley are: Judge or Magistrate ($182,790), Attorney ($150,110), Information Security Analyst ($129,380). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Minnesota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Burnsville instead of Apple Valley?
Burnsville, MN is 4.1 miles from Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Apple Valley’s median household income of $99,277 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Apple Valley while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Minnesota 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 Minnesota
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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