Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rochester, MN (2026)
Rochester, Minnesota has a population of about 121,638. The city’s median household income is $87,767 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rochester. 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 Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | 38.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 41.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 42.8 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 Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, MN metro area (BLS area code 40340). 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 | $118,300 | Rochester, MN | $130,286 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $182,790 | MN statewide | $201,311 |
| Police Supervisor | $116,920 | Rochester, MN | $128,767 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,460 | Rochester, MN | $85,308 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $75,830 | Rochester, MN | $83,513 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,020 | Rochester, MN | $69,405 |
| Probation Officer | $101,810 | Rochester, MN | $112,126 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,790 | MN statewide | $75,760 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $64,010 | Rochester, MN | $70,496 |
| Information Security Analyst | $128,830 | MN statewide | $141,883 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $87,767 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Austin, MN – 34.3 mi away (25,105 pop)
- Owatonna, MN – 37.8 mi away (25,567 pop)
- Winona, MN – 40.2 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Faribault, MN – 44.3 mi away (24,012 pop)
- Northfield, MN – 45.8 mi away (22,005 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rochester, MN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, MN (2.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Minnesota State College Southeast (42.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rochester are: Judge or Magistrate ($182,790), Information Security Analyst ($128,830), Attorney ($118,300). 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 Austin instead of Rochester?
Austin, MN is 34.3 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rochester’s median household income of $87,767 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester 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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