Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Akron, OH (2026)
Akron, Ohio has a population of about 189,526. The city’s median household income is $48,544 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 68 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Akron, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $45,817 per year for indexed programs. In the Akron, OH metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $125,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Akron
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 68 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Akron. Distances are calculated from Akron city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Akron | Akron, OH | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 10.4 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Stark | North Canton, OH | 15.3 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Walsh University | North Canton, OH | 16.3 mi | $34,595 - $45,817 | – |
| Malone University | Canton, OH | 19.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Medina County Career Center | Medina, OH | 20.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Remington College-Cleveland Campus | Cleveland, OH | 23.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mount Union | Alliance, OH | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Ohio schools on the Ohio criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Akron
Akron is part of the Akron, OH metro area (BLS area code 10420). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Ohio statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $125,680 | Akron, OH | $134,561 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $96,420 | Akron, OH | $103,233 |
| Police Supervisor | $98,140 | Akron, OH | $105,075 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $73,900 | Akron, OH | $79,122 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $75,540 | Akron, OH | $80,878 |
| Correctional Officer | $45,850 | Akron, OH | $49,090 |
| Probation Officer | $55,450 | Akron, OH | $59,368 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $102,230 | Akron, OH | $109,454 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,420 | Akron, OH | $61,478 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,130 | Akron, OH | $108,276 |
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.
Akron at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Akron-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Cuyahoga Falls, OH – 5.8 mi away (49,206 pop)
- Barberton, OH – 6.5 mi away (26,120 pop)
- Stow, OH – 8.1 mi away (34,711 pop)
- Green, OH – 9.4 mi away (25,673 pop)
- Kent, OH – 9.6 mi away (30,071 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Akron, OH?
Our directory has 68 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Akron. The closest is University of Akron Main Campus in Akron, OH (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Mount Union (24.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Akron?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Akron are: Attorney ($125,680), Forensic Science Technician ($102,230), Information Security Analyst ($101,130). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Ohio statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Cuyahoga Falls instead of Akron?
Cuyahoga Falls, OH is 5.8 miles from Akron 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 Akron an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Akron’s median household income of $48,544 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Akron while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Ohio 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 Ohio
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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