Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lincoln, NE (2026)
Lincoln, Nebraska has a population of about 291,932. The city’s median household income is $69,991 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lincoln. In the Lincoln, NE metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $196,390 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Lincoln
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Lincoln city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, NE | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Doane University | Crete, NE | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | 22.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midland University | Fremont, NE | 44.5 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 Lincoln
Lincoln is part of the Lincoln, NE metro area (BLS area code 30700). 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 | $98,720 | Lincoln, NE | $107,773 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $196,390 | Lincoln, NE | $214,400 |
| Police Supervisor | $111,170 | Lincoln, NE | $121,365 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $99,090 | Lincoln, NE | $108,177 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $92,610 | Lincoln, NE | $101,103 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,270 | Lincoln, NE | $70,164 |
| Probation Officer | $62,150 | Lincoln, NE | $67,849 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,390 | NE statewide | $69,203 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,410 | Lincoln, NE | $67,041 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,710 | Lincoln, NE | $102,303 |
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.
Lincoln at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,991 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lincoln-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Fremont, NE – 44.8 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Bellevue, NE – 45.5 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 45.6 mi away (792,463 pop)
- Council Bluffs, IA – 52.3 mi away (62,524 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 55.7 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Lincoln, NE?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lincoln. The closest is Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, NE (2.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Midland University (44.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lincoln?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lincoln are: Judge or Magistrate ($196,390), Police Supervisor ($111,170), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($99,090). 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 Fremont instead of Lincoln?
Fremont, NE is 44.8 miles from Lincoln 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 Lincoln an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lincoln’s median household income of $69,991 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lincoln 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
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