Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Altoona, PA (2026)
Altoona, Pennsylvania has a population of about 43,508. The city’s median household income is $50,171 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 19.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Altoona. In Pennsylvania, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $110,230 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Altoona
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Altoona city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona | Altoona, PA | 2.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Aloysius College | Cresson, PA | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown, PA | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | Johnstown, PA | 30.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Altoona
Altoona is part of the Altoona, PA metro area (BLS area code 11020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Pennsylvania statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $72,910 | Altoona, PA | $81,464 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $83,200 | Altoona, PA | $92,961 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $98,740 | PA statewide | $110,324 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,600 | Altoona, PA | $78,883 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,540 | PA statewide | $70,994 |
| Probation Officer | $65,510 | PA statewide | $73,196 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 | PA statewide | $64,603 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,950 | PA statewide | $68,101 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,230 | PA statewide | $123,162 |
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.
Altoona at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,508 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,171 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 19.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Altoona-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Johnstown, PA – 30.0 mi away (64,842 pop)
- State College, PA – 34.6 mi away (87,374 pop)
- Indiana, PA – 40.4 mi away (28,820 pop)
- Lewistown, PA – 43.9 mi away (21,854 pop)
- Chambersburg, PA – 56.0 mi away (51,948 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Altoona, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Altoona. The closest is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA (2.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (30.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Altoona?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Altoona are: Information Security Analyst ($110,230), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($98,740), Police Supervisor ($83,200). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Pennsylvania statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnstown instead of Altoona?
Johnstown, PA is 30.0 miles from Altoona 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 Altoona an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Altoona’s median household income of $50,171 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Altoona while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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