Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ithaca, NY (2026)
Ithaca, New York has a population of about 31,792. The city’s median household income is $48,617 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 70.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Ithaca, with tuition ranging from $37,932 to $50,783 per year. In New York, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $189,890 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Ithaca
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Ithaca city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tompkins Cortland Community College | Dryden, NY | 11.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Elmira College | Elmira, NY | 28.8 mi | $37,932 - $50,783 | – |
| Keuka College | Keuka Park, NY | 32.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cayuga County Community College | Auburn, NY | 34.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY Corning Community College | Corning, NY | 36.9 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 Ithaca
Ithaca is part of the Ithaca, NY metro area (BLS area code 27060). 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 | $102,760 | Ithaca, NY | $99,477 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $189,890 | NY statewide | $183,824 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,780 | Ithaca, NY | $97,561 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $103,340 | NY statewide | $100,039 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $78,130 | Ithaca, NY | $75,634 |
| Correctional Officer | $75,330 | NY statewide | $72,924 |
| Probation Officer | $80,060 | NY statewide | $77,502 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,170 | NY statewide | $75,673 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,910 | Ithaca, NY | $57,028 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,140 | Ithaca, NY | $99,845 |
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.
Ithaca at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,792 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,617 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 70.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Ithaca-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Cortland, NY – 19.7 mi away (26,907 pop)
- Elmira, NY – 28.8 mi away (65,104 pop)
- Auburn, NY – 34.0 mi away (31,263 pop)
- Geneva, NY – 37.9 mi away (29,371 pop)
- Binghamton, NY – 38.5 mi away (152,392 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Ithaca, NY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Ithaca. The closest is Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY (11.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SUNY Corning Community College (36.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Ithaca?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Ithaca are: Judge or Magistrate ($189,890), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($103,340), Information Security Analyst ($103,140). 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 Cortland instead of Ithaca?
Cortland, NY is 19.7 miles from Ithaca 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 Ithaca an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Ithaca’s median household income of $48,617 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ithaca 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New York (2026)
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