Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Helena, MT (2026)
Helena, Montana has a population of about 33,126. The city’s median household income is $69,341 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There is 1 accredited criminal justice program within 100 miles of Helena. In the Helena, MT metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $103,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Helena
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Helena city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Providence | Great Falls, MT | 71.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Montana schools on the Montana criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Helena
Helena is part of the Helena, MT metro area (BLS area code 25740). 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 | $103,060 | Helena, MT | $107,691 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $63,260 | MT statewide | $66,102 |
| Police Supervisor | $97,140 | Helena, MT | $101,505 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $95,640 | MT statewide | $99,937 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $73,820 | Helena, MT | $77,137 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,760 | Helena, MT | $54,086 |
| Probation Officer | $49,140 | MT statewide | $51,348 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,610 | MT statewide | $82,142 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,800 | Helena, MT | $61,442 |
| Information Security Analyst | $87,220 | Helena, MT | $91,139 |
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.
Helena at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,126 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,341 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Helena-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Butte, MT – 56.8 mi away (30,584 pop)
- Great Falls, MT – 71.2 mi away (65,960 pop)
- Bozeman, MT – 78.2 mi away (52,391 pop)
- Missoula, MT – 96.1 mi away (89,017 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Helena, MT?
Our directory lists 1 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Helena. The closest is University of Providence in Great Falls, MT (71.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Providence (71.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Helena?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Helena are: Attorney ($103,060), Police Supervisor ($97,140), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($95,640). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Montana statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Butte instead of Helena?
Butte, MT is 56.8 miles from Helena 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 Helena an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Helena’s median household income of $69,341 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Helena 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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