Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Kent, OH (2026)
Kent, Ohio has a population of about 27,190. The city’s median household income is $42,524 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kent, with tuition ranging from $12,846 to $45,817 per year. 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 Kent
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Kent city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University at Kent | Kent, OH | 0.9 mi | $12,846 - $29,345 | – |
| University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH | 9.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Akron | Akron, OH | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walsh University | North Canton, OH | 19.0 mi | $34,595 - $45,817 | – |
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 19.8 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 Kent
Kent 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.
Kent at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,190 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $42,524 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Kent-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Stow, OH – 4.3 mi away (34,711 pop)
- Hudson, OH – 7.5 mi away (22,251 pop)
- Cuyahoga Falls, OH – 8.4 mi away (49,206 pop)
- Akron, OH – 9.6 mi away (565,311 pop)
- Green, OH – 15.1 mi away (25,673 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Kent, OH?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kent. The closest is Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Stark State College (19.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Kent?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Kent 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 Stow instead of Kent?
Stow, OH is 4.3 miles from Kent 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 Kent an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Kent’s median household income of $42,524 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kent 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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