Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Springfield, MO (2026)
Springfield, Missouri has a population of about 169,432. The city’s median household income is $45,984 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Springfield, with tuition ranging from $9,024 to $38,035 per year. In the Springfield, MO 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 Springfield
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Springfield city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University-Springfield | Springfield, MO | 0.8 mi | $9,024 - $24,022 | – |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies | Springfield, MO | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Drury University | Springfield, MO | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Evangel University | Springfield, MO | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest Baptist University | Bolivar, MO | 28.8 mi | $28,320 - $38,035 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Springfield
Springfield is part of the Springfield, MO metro area (BLS area code 44180). 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 | $97,710 | Springfield, MO | $110,282 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $156,210 | Springfield, MO | $176,309 |
| Police Supervisor | $94,320 | Springfield, MO | $106,456 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $64,680 | Springfield, MO | $73,002 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,290 | Springfield, MO | $65,790 |
| Correctional Officer | $47,490 | Springfield, MO | $53,600 |
| Probation Officer | $45,390 | Springfield, MO | $51,230 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,700 | MO statewide | $73,025 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,120 | Springfield, MO | $54,312 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,150 | Springfield, MO | $99,492 |
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.
Springfield at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,984 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Springfield-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Nixa, MO – 10.3 mi away (21,201 pop)
- Branson, MO – 37.6 mi away (24,603 pop)
- Joplin, MO – 67.1 mi away (86,144 pop)
- Bella Vista, AR – 73.9 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Rogers, AR – 77.1 mi away (65,021 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Springfield, MO?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Springfield. The closest is Missouri State University-Springfield in Springfield, MO (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwest Baptist University (28.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Springfield?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Springfield are: Judge or Magistrate ($156,210), Attorney ($97,710), Police Supervisor ($94,320). 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 Nixa instead of Springfield?
Nixa, MO is 10.3 miles from Springfield 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 Springfield an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Springfield’s median household income of $45,984 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Springfield 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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