Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Watertown, NY (2026)
Watertown, New York has a population of about 24,574. The city’s median household income is $49,692 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Watertown. 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 Watertown
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Watertown city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Community College | Watertown, NY | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| State University of New York at Oswego | Oswego, NY | 48.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | Canton, NY | 56.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North | Liverpool, NY | 59.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY College at Potsdam | Potsdam, NY | 66.4 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 Watertown
Watertown is part of the Watertown-Fort Drum, NY metro area (BLS area code 48060). 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 | $129,750 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $147,948 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $189,890 | NY statewide | $216,522 |
| Police Supervisor | $104,530 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $119,190 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $104,330 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $118,962 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $84,250 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $96,066 |
| Correctional Officer | $75,330 | NY statewide | $85,895 |
| Probation Officer | $80,060 | NY statewide | $91,288 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,170 | NY statewide | $89,133 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,000 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $62,714 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,100 | NY statewide | $149,487 |
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.
Watertown at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,574 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,692 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Watertown-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Oswego, NY – 46.6 mi away (38,208 pop)
- Rome, NY – 55.7 mi away (32,128 pop)
- Oneida, NY – 63.2 mi away (21,184 pop)
- Syracuse, NY – 65.5 mi away (407,208 pop)
- Utica, NY – 69.6 mi away (114,350 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Watertown, NY?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Watertown. The closest is Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY (1.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SUNY College at Potsdam (66.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Watertown?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Watertown are: Judge or Magistrate ($189,890), Information Security Analyst ($131,100), Attorney ($129,750). 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 Oswego instead of Watertown?
Oswego, NY is 46.6 miles from Watertown 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 Watertown an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Watertown’s median household income of $49,692 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Watertown 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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