Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Buffalo, NY (2026)
Buffalo, New York has a population of about 276,397. The city’s median household income is $48,050 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Buffalo, with tuition ranging from $6,100 to $12,475 per year. In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $169,710 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Buffalo
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Buffalo city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canisius University | Buffalo, NY | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Erie Community College | Buffalo, NY | 1.8 mi | $6,100 - $12,475 | – |
| SUNY Buffalo State University | Buffalo, NY | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hilbert College | Hamburg, NY | 10.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all New York schools on the New York criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Buffalo
Buffalo is part of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area (BLS area code 15380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to New York statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $111,570 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $116,461 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $169,710 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $177,150 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,870 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $105,292 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $96,040 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $100,251 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $80,060 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $83,570 |
| Correctional Officer | $75,330 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $78,633 |
| Probation Officer | $80,240 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $83,758 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,520 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $81,962 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,550 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $61,117 |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,120 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $120,167 |
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.
Buffalo at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,050 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Buffalo-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- North Tonawanda, NY – 10.0 mi away (30,607 pop)
- Niagara Falls, NY – 15.6 mi away (48,632 pop)
- Lockport, NY – 20.1 mi away (34,859 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 38.1 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Brockport, NY – 50.7 mi away (20,142 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Buffalo, NY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Buffalo. The closest is Canisius University in Buffalo, NY (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Hilbert College (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Buffalo?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Buffalo are: Judge or Magistrate ($169,710), Information Security Analyst ($115,120), Attorney ($111,570). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with New York statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in North Tonawanda instead of Buffalo?
North Tonawanda, NY is 10.0 miles from Buffalo 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 Buffalo an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Buffalo’s median household income of $48,050 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Buffalo while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and New York 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 New York
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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