Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Norristown, PA (2026)
Norristown, Pennsylvania has a population of about 35,782. The city’s median household income is $65,058 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Norristown. 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 Norristown
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Norristown city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA | 4.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Valley Forge Military College | Wayne, PA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rosemont College | Rosemont, PA | 6.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chestnut Hill College | Philadelphia, PA | 6.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Harcum College | Bryn Mawr, PA | 7.1 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 Norristown
Norristown 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.
Norristown at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,782 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,058 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 102.6 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Norristown-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Philadelphia, PA – 13.5 mi away (5,591,554 pop)
- Camden, NJ – 17.8 mi away (74,420 pop)
- Pottstown, PA – 18.4 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Chester, PA – 19.2 mi away (33,988 pop)
- Wilmington, DE – 28.6 mi away (71,442 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Norristown, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Norristown. The closest is Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA (4.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Harcum College (7.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Norristown?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Norristown 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 Philadelphia instead of Norristown?
Philadelphia, PA is 13.5 miles from Norristown 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 Norristown an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Norristown’s median household income of $65,058 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Norristown 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)