Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Cape Girardeau, MO (2026)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a population of about 40,047. The city’s median household income is $54,870 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau, with tuition ranging from $9,496 to $23,337 per year. In Missouri, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $156,210 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Cape Girardeau
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Cape Girardeau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.8 mi | $9,496 - $23,337 | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 28.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Carbondale, IL | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 39.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 52.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Cape Girardeau
Cape Girardeau is part of the Cape Girardeau, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 16020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $86,180 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,093 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | MO statewide | $181,429 |
| Police Supervisor | $75,800 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $88,037 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $78,670 | MO statewide | $91,370 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $56,270 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $65,354 |
| Correctional Officer | $42,700 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $49,593 |
| Probation Officer | $45,390 | MO statewide | $52,718 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | MO statewide | $75,145 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $44,510 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,696 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,440 | MO statewide | $118,978 |
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.
Cape Girardeau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,047 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,870 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cape Girardeau-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Carbondale, IL – 33.9 mi away (68,540 pop)
- Paducah, KY – 53.1 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Farmington, MO – 57.7 mi away (44,494 pop)
- Poplar Bluff, MO – 60.4 mi away (20,714 pop)
- Murray, KY – 83.6 mi away (20,431 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Cape Girardeau, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cape Girardeau. The closest is Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is West Kentucky Community and Technical College (52.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Cape Girardeau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Cape Girardeau are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Information Security Analyst ($102,440), Attorney ($86,180). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carbondale instead of Cape Girardeau?
Carbondale, IL is 33.9 miles from Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Cape Girardeau’s median household income of $54,870 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cape Girardeau while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri 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 Missouri
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Missouri (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Missouri (2026)