Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Grand Island, NE (2026)
Grand Island, Nebraska has a population of about 52,761. The city’s median household income is $62,439 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. 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 Grand Island
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Grand Island city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York University | York, NE | 40.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | Kearney, NE | 41.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | 66.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | 76.7 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 Grand Island
Grand Island is part of the Grand Island, NE metro area (BLS area code 24260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Nebraska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $101,390 | Grand Island, NE | $116,943 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $196,390 | NE statewide | $226,517 |
| Police Supervisor | $102,900 | Grand Island, NE | $118,685 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $99,090 | NE statewide | $114,291 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $74,580 | Grand Island, NE | $86,021 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,210 | Grand Island, NE | $72,907 |
| Probation Officer | $61,510 | NE statewide | $70,946 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,390 | NE statewide | $73,114 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,410 | NE statewide | $70,830 |
| Information Security Analyst | $95,470 | NE statewide | $110,115 |
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.
Grand Island at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,761 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,439 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Grand Island-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hastings, NE – 22.5 mi away (24,393 pop)
- Kearney, NE – 40.9 mi away (34,065 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 63.1 mi away (22,846 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 88.0 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Norfolk, NE – 91.0 mi away (26,921 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Grand Island, NE?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Grand Island. The closest is Central Community College in Grand Island, NE (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Doane University (76.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Grand Island?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Grand Island are: Judge or Magistrate ($196,390), Police Supervisor ($102,900), Attorney ($101,390). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Nebraska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hastings instead of Grand Island?
Hastings, NE is 22.5 miles from Grand Island 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 Grand Island an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Grand Island’s median household income of $62,439 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Island 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)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Nebraska (2026)