Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Scottsbluff, NE (2026)

Scottsbluff, Nebraska has a population of about 14,406. The city’s median household income is $53,448 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Scottsbluff, with tuition ranging from $4,290 to $14,943 per year. 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 Scottsbluff

The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Scottsbluff city center.

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
Western Nebraska Community CollegeScottsbluff, NE1.0 miContact school for pricing
Eastern Wyoming CollegeTorrington, WY30.7 mi$4,290 - $14,943
Laramie County Community CollegeCheyenne, WY78.4 mi$4,613 - $12,722

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska criminal justice page.


Criminal Justice Wages Near Scottsbluff

OccupationMedian 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.


Scottsbluff at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population14,406Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$53,448Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+27.2%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Scottsbluff-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Scottsbluff, NE?

Our directory lists 3 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Scottsbluff. The closest is Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, NE (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Laramie County Community College (78.4 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 Scottsbluff workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Cheyenne instead of Scottsbluff?

Cheyenne, WY is 77.1 miles from Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff an affordable place to study criminal justice?

Scottsbluff’s median household income of $53,448 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Scottsbluff 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.