Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Billings, MT (2026)
Billings, Montana has a population of about 118,321. The city’s median household income is $71,855 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 2 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Billings, with tuition ranging from $4,935 to $15,710 per year. In the Billings, MT metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $113,130 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Billings
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Billings city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University Billings | Billings, MT | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest College | Powell, WY | 71.7 mi | $4,935 - $15,710 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Montana schools on the Montana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Billings
Billings is part of the Billings, MT metro area (BLS area code 13740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Montana statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $100,750 | Billings, MT | $107,754 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $63,260 | MT statewide | $67,658 |
| Police Supervisor | $113,130 | Billings, MT | $120,995 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $76,060 | Billings, MT | $81,348 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,160 | Billings, MT | $75,037 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,700 | Billings, MT | $53,155 |
| Probation Officer | $48,650 | Billings, MT | $52,032 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,610 | MT statewide | $84,075 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $56,900 | Billings, MT | $60,856 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,890 | Billings, MT | $95,070 |
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.
Billings at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $71,855 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Billings, MT?
Our directory lists 2 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Billings. The closest is Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT (1.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest College (71.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Billings?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Billings are: Police Supervisor ($113,130), Attorney ($100,750), Information Security Analyst ($88,890). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Montana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Is Billings an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Billings’s median household income of $71,855 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Billings while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Montana 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 Montana
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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