Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rochester, NY (2026)
Rochester, New York has a population of about 209,720. The city’s median household income is $46,628 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rochester, with tuition ranging from $37,504 to $71,714 per year. In the Rochester, NY metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $170,520 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Rochester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rochester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Community College | Rochester, NY | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Greece | Rochester, NY | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 6.6 mi | $57,016 - $71,714 | – |
| Roberts Wesleyan University | Rochester, NY | 9.8 mi | $37,504 - $49,621 | – |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, NY | 17.1 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 Rochester
Rochester is part of the Rochester, NY metro area (BLS area code 40380). 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 | $138,010 | Rochester, NY | $142,278 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $170,520 | Rochester, NY | $175,794 |
| Police Supervisor | $110,650 | Rochester, NY | $114,072 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $107,810 | Rochester, NY | $111,144 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $91,590 | Rochester, NY | $94,423 |
| Correctional Officer | $72,410 | Rochester, NY | $74,649 |
| Probation Officer | $80,060 | Rochester, NY | $82,536 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,600 | Rochester, NY | $66,598 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,760 | Rochester, NY | $60,577 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,280 | Rochester, NY | $104,412 |
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.
Rochester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,628 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rochester-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Brockport, NY – 16.6 mi away (20,142 pop)
- Geneva, NY – 38.3 mi away (29,371 pop)
- Lockport, NY – 54.4 mi away (34,859 pop)
- Auburn, NY – 55.3 mi away (31,263 pop)
- Oswego, NY – 59.4 mi away (38,208 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rochester, NY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rochester. The closest is Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY (4.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SUNY Brockport (17.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rochester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rochester are: Judge or Magistrate ($170,520), Attorney ($138,010), Police Supervisor ($110,650). 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 Brockport instead of Rochester?
Brockport, NY is 16.6 miles from Rochester 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 Rochester an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rochester’s median household income of $46,628 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rochester 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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