Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Austin, MN (2026)
Austin, Minnesota has a population of about 26,167. The city’s median household income is $66,488 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Austin. In Minnesota, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $182,790 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Austin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Austin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Waldorf University | Forest City, IA | 44.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | 60.5 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 Austin
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Minnesota, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $137,720 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $182,790 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,680 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $82,330 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $83,310 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,670 |
| Probation Officer | $79,510 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,790 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $67,320 |
| Information Security Analyst | $128,830 |
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.
Austin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,167 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,488 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Austin-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Owatonna, MN – 31.7 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Rochester, MN – 34.3 mi away (114,976 pop)
- Mason City, IA – 37.9 mi away (26,487 pop)
- Faribault, MN – 45.9 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 55.0 mi away (22,005 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Austin, MN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Austin. The closest is Riverland Community College in Austin, MN (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Minnesota State University-Mankato (60.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Minnesota?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Minnesota are: Judge or Magistrate ($182,790), Attorney ($137,720), Information Security Analyst ($128,830). Wages for Austin workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Owatonna instead of Austin?
Owatonna, MN is 31.7 miles from Austin 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 Austin an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Austin’s median household income of $66,488 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Austin 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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