Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lancaster, PA (2026)
Lancaster, Pennsylvania has a population of about 57,683. The city’s median household income is $63,421 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lancaster, with tuition ranging from $29,990 to $40,813 per year. In the Lancaster, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $108,370 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Lancaster
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Lancaster city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA | 2.3 mi | $29,990 - $40,813 | – |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown, PA | 17.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School | Lebanon, PA | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York, PA | 23.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, PA | 24.6 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 Lancaster
Lancaster is part of the Lancaster, PA metro area (BLS area code 29540). 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 | $108,370 | Lancaster, PA | $110,244 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $106,260 | Lancaster, PA | $108,098 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $96,920 | Lancaster, PA | $98,596 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $88,870 | Lancaster, PA | $90,407 |
| Correctional Officer | $55,670 | Lancaster, PA | $56,633 |
| Probation Officer | $65,510 | Lancaster, PA | $66,643 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 | PA statewide | $58,820 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,080 | Lancaster, PA | $56,033 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,560 | Lancaster, PA | $106,368 |
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.
Lancaster at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,683 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,421 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lancaster-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lebanon, PA – 21.6 mi away (77,839 pop)
- York, PA – 23.4 mi away (232,796 pop)
- Reading, PA – 28.5 mi away (264,736 pop)
- Harrisburg, PA – 34.7 mi away (438,995 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 37.6 mi away (109,052 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Lancaster, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Lancaster. The closest is Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA (2.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (24.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lancaster?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lancaster are: Attorney ($108,370), Police Supervisor ($106,260), Information Security Analyst ($104,560). 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 Lebanon instead of Lancaster?
Lebanon, PA is 21.6 miles from Lancaster 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 Lancaster an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lancaster’s median household income of $63,421 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lancaster 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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