Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Erie, PA (2026)
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,156. The city’s median household income is $43,397 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Erie, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $16,744 per year. In the Erie, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $112,590 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Erie
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Erie city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | 1.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula, OH | 41.9 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
| Jamestown Community College | Jamestown, NY | 43.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| SUNY at Fredonia | Fredonia, NY | 44.4 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 Erie
Erie is part of the Erie, PA metro area (BLS area code 21500). 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 | $104,300 | Erie, PA | $114,615 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $112,590 | Erie, PA | $123,725 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $105,020 | Erie, PA | $115,407 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $94,290 | Erie, PA | $103,615 |
| Correctional Officer | $57,510 | Erie, PA | $63,198 |
| Probation Officer | $57,620 | Erie, PA | $63,319 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 | PA statewide | $63,538 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,260 | Erie, PA | $54,132 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,230 | PA statewide | $121,132 |
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.
Erie at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,397 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Erie-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Meadville, PA – 32.6 mi away (23,131 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 40.7 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Jamestown, NY – 42.9 mi away (41,492 pop)
- Dunkirk, NY – 45.4 mi away (24,248 pop)
- Mentor, OH – 71.3 mi away (46,732 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Erie, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Erie. The closest is Gannon University in Erie, PA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is SUNY at Fredonia (44.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Erie?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Erie are: Police Supervisor ($112,590), Information Security Analyst ($110,230), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($105,020). 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 Meadville instead of Erie?
Meadville, PA is 32.6 miles from Erie 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 Erie an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Erie’s median household income of $43,397 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Erie 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)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)