Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Omaha, NE (2026)
Omaha, Nebraska has a population of about 488,197. The city’s median household income is $72,708 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Omaha, with tuition ranging from $6,780 to $18,102 per year. In the Omaha, NE-IA 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 Omaha
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Omaha city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Creighton University | Omaha, NE | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha, NE | 5.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | 10.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | 13.1 mi | $6,780 - $18,102 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Omaha
Omaha is part of the Omaha, NE-IA metro area (BLS area code 36540). 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 | $125,730 | Omaha, NE-IA | $136,812 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $196,390 | Omaha, NE-IA | $213,700 |
| Police Supervisor | $107,360 | Omaha, NE-IA | $116,823 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $103,040 | Omaha, NE-IA | $112,122 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $80,400 | Omaha, NE-IA | $87,486 |
| Correctional Officer | $62,680 | Omaha, NE-IA | $68,205 |
| Probation Officer | $62,400 | Omaha, NE-IA | $67,900 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,390 | Omaha, NE-IA | $68,977 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $63,720 | Omaha, NE-IA | $69,336 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,210 | Omaha, NE-IA | $111,219 |
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.
Omaha at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $72,708 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Omaha-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Bellevue, NE – 9.5 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Council Bluffs, IA – 10.2 mi away (62,524 pop)
- Fremont, NE – 26.1 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Lincoln, NE – 45.6 mi away (280,741 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 69.0 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Omaha, NE?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Omaha. The closest is University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, NE (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Iowa Western Community College (13.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Omaha?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Omaha are: Judge or Magistrate ($196,390), Attorney ($125,730), Police Supervisor ($107,360). 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 Bellevue instead of Omaha?
Bellevue, NE is 9.5 miles from Omaha 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 Omaha an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Omaha’s median household income of $72,708 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Omaha 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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