Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Willoughby, OH (2026)
Willoughby, Ohio has a population of about 23,934. The city’s median household income is $70,884 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Willoughby, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $16,744 per year. 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 Willoughby
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Willoughby city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Community College | Kirtland, OH | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lake Erie College | Painesville, OH | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland, OH | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Geauga | Burton, OH | 17.7 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Remington College-Cleveland Campus | Cleveland, OH | 17.8 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 Willoughby
Willoughby 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.
Willoughby at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,934 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,884 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Willoughby-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Mentor, OH – 4.8 mi away (46,732 pop)
- Euclid, OH – 6.9 mi away (47,360 pop)
- South Euclid, OH – 10.4 mi away (21,658 pop)
- Cleveland Heights, OH – 12.3 mi away (44,633 pop)
- Shaker Heights, OH – 13.9 mi away (27,448 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Willoughby, OH?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Willoughby. The closest is Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, OH (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Remington College-Cleveland Campus (17.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Willoughby?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Willoughby 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 Mentor instead of Willoughby?
Mentor, OH is 4.8 miles from Willoughby 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 Willoughby an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Willoughby’s median household income of $70,884 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Willoughby 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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