Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Maryland Heights, MO (2026)
Maryland Heights, Missouri has a population of about 27,981. The city’s median household income is $86,485 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 51.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Maryland Heights, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $49,218 per year. In the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $156,210 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Maryland Heights
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Maryland Heights city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis Community College | Bridgeton, MO | 2.7 mi | $3,660 - $12,053 | – |
| Lindenwood University | Saint Charles, MO | 4.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Missouri Baptist University | Saint Louis, MO | 5.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| St Charles Community College | Cottleville, MO | 9.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Webster University | Saint Louis, MO | 11.4 mi | $30,730 - $49,218 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Maryland Heights
Maryland Heights is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area (BLS area code 41180). 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 | $128,070 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $134,669 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $164,259 |
| Police Supervisor | $101,820 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $107,066 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $86,200 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $90,641 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $72,020 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $75,731 |
| Correctional Officer | $54,190 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $56,982 |
| Probation Officer | $47,840 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,305 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,034 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,820 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,851 |
| Information Security Analyst | $106,250 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $111,725 |
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.
Maryland Heights at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,981 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $86,485 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 51.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Maryland Heights-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Saint Charles, MO – 5.7 mi away (69,293 pop)
- Hazelwood, MO – 6.9 mi away (25,443 pop)
- Chesterfield, MO – 7.0 mi away (47,659 pop)
- Saint Peters, MO – 8.3 mi away (57,289 pop)
- University City, MO – 8.6 mi away (34,706 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Maryland Heights, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Maryland Heights. The closest is Saint Louis Community College in Bridgeton, MO (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Webster University (11.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Maryland Heights?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Maryland Heights are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Attorney ($128,070), Information Security Analyst ($106,250). 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 Saint Charles instead of Maryland Heights?
Saint Charles, MO is 5.7 miles from Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Maryland Heights’s median household income of $86,485 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Maryland Heights 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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