Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Meadville, PA (2026)
Meadville, Pennsylvania has a population of about 12,723. The city’s median household income is $46,012 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 24.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Meadville, with tuition ranging from $7,272 to $51,346 per year. In Pennsylvania, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $127,940 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Meadville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Meadville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiel College | Greenville, PA | 20.6 mi | $36,864 - $51,346 | – |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | 31.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | 33.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango | Sharon, PA | 34.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kent State University at Ashtabula | Ashtabula, OH | 39.0 mi | $7,272 - $16,744 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Meadville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Pennsylvania, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $127,940 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A |
| Police Supervisor | $102,420 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $98,740 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $86,350 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,540 |
| Probation Officer | $65,510 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,950 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,230 |
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.
Meadville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,723 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $46,012 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 24.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Meadville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Erie, PA – 32.6 mi away (190,443 pop)
- Ashtabula, OH – 37.2 mi away (28,097 pop)
- Warren, OH – 44.8 mi away (39,898 pop)
- Youngstown, OH – 45.9 mi away (372,039 pop)
- New Castle, PA – 46.2 mi away (39,873 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Meadville, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Meadville. The closest is Thiel College in Greenville, PA (20.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Kent State University at Ashtabula (39.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Pennsylvania?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Pennsylvania are: Attorney ($127,940), Information Security Analyst ($110,230), Police Supervisor ($102,420). Wages for Meadville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Erie instead of Meadville?
Erie, PA is 32.6 miles from Meadville 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 Meadville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Meadville’s median household income of $46,012 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Meadville 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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