Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mankato, MN (2026)
Mankato, Minnesota has a population of about 44,882. The city’s median household income is $64,826 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Mankato. 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 Mankato
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Mankato city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany Lutheran College | Mankato, MN | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | Mankato, MN | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crown College | Saint Bonifacius, MN | 51.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington, MN | 55.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 59.5 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 Mankato
Mankato is part of the Mankato, MN metro area (BLS area code 31860). 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 | $126,450 | Mankato, MN | $138,956 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $182,790 | MN statewide | $200,868 |
| Police Supervisor | $97,870 | Mankato, MN | $107,549 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $82,330 | MN statewide | $90,473 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $82,370 | Mankato, MN | $90,516 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,670 | MN statewide | $71,066 |
| Probation Officer | $79,510 | MN statewide | $87,374 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,790 | MN statewide | $75,593 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,950 | Mankato, MN | $68,077 |
| Information Security Analyst | $128,830 | MN statewide | $141,571 |
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.
Mankato at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,882 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,826 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Mankato-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Faribault, MN – 35.7 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.5 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 44.5 mi away (22,005 pop)
- Prior Lake, MN – 46.5 mi away (25,863 pop)
- Chaska, MN – 48.1 mi away (26,016 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Mankato, MN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Mankato. The closest is Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Riverland Community College (59.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Mankato?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Mankato are: Judge or Magistrate ($182,790), Information Security Analyst ($128,830), Attorney ($126,450). 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 Faribault instead of Mankato?
Faribault, MN is 35.7 miles from Mankato 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 Mankato an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Mankato’s median household income of $64,826 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Mankato 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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