Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Columbus, NE (2026)
Columbus, Nebraska has a population of about 24,188. The city’s median household income is $67,212 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbus. In Nebraska, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $196,390 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Columbus
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | 38.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York University | York, NE | 40.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | 42.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midland University | Fremont, NE | 45.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, NE | 55.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Columbus
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Nebraska, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $104,970 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $196,390 |
| Police Supervisor | $107,360 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $99,090 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $72,160 |
| Correctional Officer | $62,680 |
| Probation Officer | $61,510 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,390 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,410 |
| Information Security Analyst | $95,470 |
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.
Columbus at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,188 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,212 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Columbus-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Norfolk, NE – 41.5 mi away (26,921 pop)
- Fremont, NE – 44.9 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 55.7 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Grand Island, NE – 63.1 mi away (53,556 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 69.0 mi away (792,463 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Columbus, NE?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbus. The closest is Concordia University-Nebraska in Seward, NE (38.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Nebraska Wesleyan University (55.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Nebraska?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Nebraska are: Judge or Magistrate ($196,390), Police Supervisor ($107,360), Attorney ($104,970). Wages for Columbus workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Norfolk instead of Columbus?
Norfolk, NE is 41.5 miles from Columbus 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 Columbus an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Columbus’s median household income of $67,212 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Nebraska 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 Nebraska
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Nebraska (2026)
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