Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hobbs, NM (2026)

Hobbs, New Mexico has a population of about 39,887. The city’s median household income is $65,691 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hobbs, with tuition ranging from $1,176 to $11,794 per year. In New Mexico, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $164,340 annually (BLS, May 2024).


Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Hobbs

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

SchoolCityDistanceTuitionOnline
New Mexico Junior CollegeHobbs, NM2.4 mi$1,440 - $9,150
Southeast New Mexico CollegeCarlsbad, NM67.3 mi$1,176 - $11,794
South Plains CollegeLevelland, TX73.8 miContact school for pricing
Odessa CollegeOdessa, TX74.8 miContact school for pricing
The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa, TX76.1 miContact school for pricing

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


Criminal Justice Wages Near Hobbs

OccupationMedian Annual Wage (New Mexico, statewide)
Attorney$112,500
Judge or Magistrate$164,340
Police Supervisor$93,290
Detective or Criminal Investigator$86,840
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$63,340
Correctional Officer$47,420
Probation Officer$63,500
Forensic Science Technician$61,890
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$56,620
Information Security Analyst$133,780

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.


Hobbs at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population39,887Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$65,691Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+16.6%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)

Other Hobbs-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs


Frequently Asked Questions

How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Hobbs, NM?

Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hobbs. The closest is New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, NM (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is The University of Texas Permian Basin (76.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.

What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in New Mexico?

Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in New Mexico are: Judge or Magistrate ($164,340), Information Security Analyst ($133,780), Attorney ($112,500). Wages for Hobbs workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Carlsbad instead of Hobbs?

Carlsbad, NM is 66.6 miles from Hobbs 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 Hobbs an affordable place to study criminal justice?

Hobbs’s median household income of $65,691 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hobbs while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New Mexico 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.