Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rolla, MO (2026)

Rolla, Missouri has a population of about 20,144. The city’s median household income is $42,518 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rolla, 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 Rolla

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rolla city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Lincoln UniversityJefferson City, MO48.1 miContact school for pricing
William Woods UniversityFulton, MO64.2 mi$28,860 - $44,907
Jefferson CollegeHillsboro, MO68.9 miContact school for pricing
Mineral Area CollegePark Hills, MO70.1 miContact school for pricing
Columbia CollegeColumbia, MO76.3 miContact school for pricing

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri criminal justice page.


Criminal Justice Wages Near Rolla

OccupationMedian Annual Wage (Missouri, statewide)
Attorney$124,210
Judge or Magistrate$156,210
Police Supervisor$91,150
Detective or Criminal Investigator$78,670
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$60,720
Correctional Officer$41,310
Probation Officer$45,390
Forensic Science Technician$64,700
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$58,730
Information Security Analyst$102,440

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.


Rolla at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population20,144Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$42,518Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+35.5%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Rolla-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rolla, MO?

Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rolla. The closest is Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO (48.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Columbia College (76.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Missouri?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Missouri are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Attorney ($124,210), Information Security Analyst ($102,440). Wages for Rolla workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Jefferson City instead of Rolla?

Jefferson City, MO is 48.5 miles from Rolla 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 Rolla an affordable place to study criminal justice?

Rolla’s median household income of $42,518 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rolla 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.