Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jefferson City, MO (2026)
Jefferson City, Missouri has a population of about 42,565. The city’s median household income is $67,205 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City, with tuition ranging from $28,860 to $44,907 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 Jefferson City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Jefferson City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln University | Jefferson City, MO | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Woods University | Fulton, MO | 23.8 mi | $28,860 - $44,907 | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, MO | 28.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Fayette, MO | 48.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies | Fayette, MO | 48.8 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 Jefferson City
Jefferson City is part of the Jefferson City, MO metro area (BLS area code 27620). 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 | $91,830 | Jefferson City, MO | $104,352 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | MO statewide | $177,511 |
| Police Supervisor | $99,650 | Jefferson City, MO | $113,239 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $54,940 | Jefferson City, MO | $62,432 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $57,990 | Jefferson City, MO | $65,898 |
| Correctional Officer | $41,310 | Jefferson City, MO | $46,943 |
| Probation Officer | $45,390 | Jefferson City, MO | $51,580 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | MO statewide | $73,523 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $46,160 | Jefferson City, MO | $52,455 |
| Information Security Analyst | $84,830 | Jefferson City, MO | $96,398 |
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.
Jefferson City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,565 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,205 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jefferson City-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Columbia, MO – 27.5 mi away (138,675 pop)
- Rolla, MO – 48.5 mi away (20,692 pop)
- Sedalia, MO – 57.9 mi away (26,302 pop)
- Wentzville, MO – 72.6 mi away (37,395 pop)
- O’Fallon, MO – 80.1 mi away (86,274 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Jefferson City, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jefferson City. The closest is Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies (48.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jefferson City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jefferson City are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Police Supervisor ($99,650), Attorney ($91,830). 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 Columbia instead of Jefferson City?
Columbia, MO is 27.5 miles from Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Jefferson City’s median household income of $67,205 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jefferson City 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
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