Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lorain, OH (2026)
Lorain, Ohio has a population of about 65,207. The city’s median household income is $45,799 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lorain. In the Cleveland, OH metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $128,460 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Lorain
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Lorain city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH | 6.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Berea, OH | 18.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Polaris Career Center | Middleburg Heights, OH | 18.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Parma | Parma, OH | 21.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bowling Green State University-Firelands | Huron, OH | 21.4 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 Lorain
Lorain is part of the Cleveland, OH metro area (BLS area code 17410). 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 | $128,460 | Cleveland, OH | $136,805 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $89,630 | Cleveland, OH | $95,453 |
| Police Supervisor | $101,430 | Cleveland, OH | $108,019 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $86,250 | Cleveland, OH | $91,853 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $81,730 | Cleveland, OH | $87,039 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,900 | Cleveland, OH | $68,051 |
| Probation Officer | $60,600 | Cleveland, OH | $64,537 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $73,310 | OH statewide | $78,072 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,370 | Cleveland, OH | $63,227 |
| Information Security Analyst | $105,990 | Cleveland, OH | $112,875 |
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.
Lorain at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,207 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,799 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lorain-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Elyria, OH – 6.0 mi away (53,715 pop)
- Avon, OH – 8.6 mi away (22,805 pop)
- North Ridgeville, OH – 9.4 mi away (32,983 pop)
- Avon Lake, OH – 9.5 mi away (23,659 pop)
- Westlake, OH – 13.2 mi away (32,293 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Lorain, OH?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lorain. The closest is Lorain County Community College in Elyria, OH (6.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Bowling Green State University-Firelands (21.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lorain?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lorain are: Attorney ($128,460), Information Security Analyst ($105,990), Police Supervisor ($101,430). 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 Elyria instead of Lorain?
Elyria, OH is 6.0 miles from Lorain 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 Lorain an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lorain’s median household income of $45,799 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lorain 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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