Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Chester, PA (2026)
Chester, Pennsylvania has a population of about 33,209. The city’s median household income is $39,809 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 13.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chester, with tuition ranging from $13,440 to $24,633 per year. In the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $200,150 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Chester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Chester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widener University | Chester, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Neumann University | Aston, PA | 4.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Delaware County Community College | Media, PA | 8.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point, NJ | 11.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Goldey-Beacom College | Wilmington, DE | 11.6 mi | $13,440 - $24,633 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Chester
Chester is part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area (BLS area code 37980). 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 | $148,030 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $144,279 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $200,150 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $195,078 |
| Police Supervisor | $120,960 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $117,895 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $98,740 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $96,238 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $90,640 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $88,343 |
| Correctional Officer | $64,520 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $62,885 |
| Probation Officer | $73,890 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,018 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,120 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $56,647 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $63,010 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,413 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,270 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $121,121 |
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.
Chester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,209 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,809 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 13.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chester-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Wilmington, DE – 11.3 mi away (71,442 pop)
- Camden, NJ – 15.4 mi away (74,420 pop)
- Philadelphia, PA – 16.9 mi away (5,591,554 pop)
- Norristown, PA – 19.2 mi away (34,370 pop)
- Newark, DE – 23.5 mi away (33,398 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Chester, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chester. The closest is Widener University in Chester, PA (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Goldey-Beacom College (11.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Chester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Chester are: Judge or Magistrate ($200,150), Attorney ($148,030), Information Security Analyst ($124,270). 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 Wilmington instead of Chester?
Wilmington, DE is 11.3 miles from Chester 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 Chester an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Chester’s median household income of $39,809 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chester 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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