Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Joplin, MO (2026)
Joplin, Missouri has a population of about 52,218. The city’s median household income is $51,154 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Joplin. 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 Joplin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Joplin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Southern State University | Joplin, MO | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Crowder College | Neosho, MO | 19.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pittsburg State University | Pittsburg, KS | 24.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College | Miami, OK | 24.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fort Scott Community College | Fort Scott, KS | 52.4 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 Joplin
Joplin is part of the Joplin, MO-KS metro area (BLS area code 27900). 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 | $92,720 | Joplin, MO-KS | $108,191 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | MO statewide | $182,275 |
| Police Supervisor | $62,890 | Joplin, MO-KS | $73,384 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $49,780 | Joplin, MO-KS | $58,086 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $45,690 | Joplin, MO-KS | $53,314 |
| Correctional Officer | $35,150 | Joplin, MO-KS | $41,015 |
| Probation Officer | $45,390 | Joplin, MO-KS | $52,964 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | MO statewide | $75,496 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $46,210 | Joplin, MO-KS | $53,921 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,440 | MO statewide | $119,533 |
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.
Joplin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,218 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,154 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Joplin-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Pittsburg, KS – 25.7 mi away (23,069 pop)
- Bella Vista, AR – 44.0 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Bentonville, AR – 51.9 mi away (47,093 pop)
- Rogers, AR – 55.9 mi away (65,021 pop)
- Siloam Springs, AR – 61.7 mi away (21,136 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Joplin, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Joplin. The closest is Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Fort Scott Community College (52.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Joplin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Joplin are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Information Security Analyst ($102,440), Attorney ($92,720). 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 Pittsburg instead of Joplin?
Pittsburg, KS is 25.7 miles from Joplin 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 Joplin an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Joplin’s median household income of $51,154 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Joplin 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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