Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Saint Cloud, MN (2026)
Saint Cloud, Minnesota has a population of about 69,926. The city’s median household income is $61,112 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Saint Cloud. 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 Saint Cloud
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Saint Cloud city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crown College | Saint Bonifacius, MN | 48.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hennepin Technical College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 48.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Hennepin Community College | Brooklyn Park, MN | 48.8 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 Saint Cloud
Saint Cloud is part of the St. Cloud, MN metro area (BLS area code 41060). 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 | $115,840 | St. Cloud, MN | $132,237 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $182,790 | MN statewide | $208,664 |
| Police Supervisor | $101,650 | St. Cloud, MN | $116,039 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $70,680 | St. Cloud, MN | $80,685 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,090 | St. Cloud, MN | $86,861 |
| Correctional Officer | $65,460 | St. Cloud, MN | $74,726 |
| Probation Officer | $93,640 | St. Cloud, MN | $106,895 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $68,790 | MN statewide | $78,527 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,380 | St. Cloud, MN | $68,927 |
| Information Security Analyst | $90,590 | St. Cloud, MN | $103,413 |
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.
Saint Cloud at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,926 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,112 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Saint Cloud-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Monticello, MN – 24.4 mi away (26,875 pop)
- Elk River, MN – 32.5 mi away (24,364 pop)
- Ramsey, MN – 39.8 mi away (26,206 pop)
- Andover, MN – 45.3 mi away (32,461 pop)
- Maple Grove, MN – 45.3 mi away (69,576 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Saint Cloud, MN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Saint Cloud. The closest is Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Hennepin Community College (48.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Saint Cloud?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Saint Cloud are: Judge or Magistrate ($182,790), Attorney ($115,840), Police Supervisor ($101,650). 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 Monticello instead of Saint Cloud?
Monticello, MN is 24.4 miles from Saint Cloud 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 Saint Cloud an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Saint Cloud’s median household income of $61,112 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Saint Cloud 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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