Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Athens, OH (2026)
Athens, Ohio has a population of about 23,211. The city’s median household income is $37,059 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 67.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Athens, with tuition ranging from $5,300 to $17,575 per year. In Ohio, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $125,450 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Athens
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Athens city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University-Main Campus | Athens, OH | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hocking College | Nelsonville, OH | 10.3 mi | $5,300 - $17,575 | – |
| West Virginia University at Parkersburg | Parkersburg, WV | 32.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Rio Grande | Rio Grande, OH | 34.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Buckeye Hills Career Center | Rio Grande, OH | 34.4 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 Athens
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Ohio, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $125,450 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $97,260 |
| Police Supervisor | $98,000 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,940 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,050 |
| Correctional Officer | $58,840 |
| Probation Officer | $60,090 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $73,310 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,870 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,570 |
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.
Athens at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,059 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 67.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Athens-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Parkersburg, WV – 30.1 mi away (65,331 pop)
- Marietta, OH – 35.5 mi away (21,735 pop)
- Lancaster, OH – 38.5 mi away (43,726 pop)
- Zanesville, OH – 43.8 mi away (42,097 pop)
- Chillicothe, OH – 47.8 mi away (32,004 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Athens, OH?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Athens. The closest is Ohio University-Main Campus in Athens, OH (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Buckeye Hills Career Center (34.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Ohio?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Ohio are: Attorney ($125,450), Information Security Analyst ($107,570), Police Supervisor ($98,000). Wages for Athens workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Parkersburg instead of Athens?
Parkersburg, WV is 30.1 miles from Athens 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 Athens an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Athens’s median household income of $37,059 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Athens 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
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