Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a population of about 77,069. The city’s median household income is $66,443 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bethlehem, with tuition ranging from $5,215 to $15,075 per year. In the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $119,580 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Bethlehem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Bethlehem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton County Area Community College | Bethlehem, PA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-McCann-Allentown | Allentown, PA | 4.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeSales University | Center Valley, PA | 6.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville, PA | 13.1 mi | $5,215 - $15,075 | – |
| Warren County Community College | Washington, NJ | 20.1 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 Bethlehem
Bethlehem is part of the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area (BLS area code 10900). 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 | $102,240 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,240 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $108,390 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $108,390 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $95,920 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $95,920 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $86,060 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $86,060 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,060 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,060 |
| Probation Officer | $64,400 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,400 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $47,880 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,880 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $53,420 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $53,420 |
| Information Security Analyst | $119,580 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $119,580 |
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.
Bethlehem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,069 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,443 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.0 (at U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bethlehem-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Allentown, PA – 6.0 mi away (678,169 pop)
- Easton, PA – 8.7 mi away (26,978 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 27.8 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 29.8 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 34.3 mi away (23,308 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Bethlehem, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bethlehem. The closest is Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA (4.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Warren County Community College (20.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Bethlehem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Bethlehem are: Information Security Analyst ($119,580), Police Supervisor ($108,390), Attorney ($102,240). 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 Allentown instead of Bethlehem?
Allentown, PA is 6.0 miles from Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Bethlehem’s median household income of $66,443 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bethlehem 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
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