Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pittsburgh, PA (2026)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a population of about 303,620. The city’s median household income is $64,137 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 47.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $125,870 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Pittsburgh
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Pittsburgh city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | Pittsburgh, PA | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh, PA | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny | McKeesport, PA | 10.2 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 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is part of the Pittsburgh, PA metro area (BLS area code 38300). 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 | $125,870 | Pittsburgh, PA | $132,914 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $101,930 | Pittsburgh, PA | $107,635 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $85,430 | Pittsburgh, PA | $90,211 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $82,270 | Pittsburgh, PA | $86,874 |
| Correctional Officer | $61,150 | Pittsburgh, PA | $64,572 |
| Probation Officer | $74,890 | Pittsburgh, PA | $79,081 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,640 | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,474 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,710 | Pittsburgh, PA | $64,108 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,470 | Pittsburgh, PA | $109,261 |
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.
Pittsburgh at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,137 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 47.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Pittsburgh-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Bethel Park, PA – 8.6 mi away (31,911 pop)
- Monroeville, PA – 11.4 mi away (27,953 pop)
- Plum, PA – 12.7 mi away (27,399 pop)
- Murrysville, PA – 16.9 mi away (20,042 pop)
- Monessen, PA – 20.5 mi away (63,467 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Pittsburgh, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. The closest is Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA (0.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny (10.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Pittsburgh?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Pittsburgh are: Attorney ($125,870), Information Security Analyst ($103,470), Police Supervisor ($101,930). 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 Bethel Park instead of Pittsburgh?
Bethel Park, PA is 8.6 miles from Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Pittsburgh’s median household income of $64,137 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pittsburgh 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)