Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Reading, PA (2026)
Reading, Pennsylvania has a population of about 94,836. The city’s median household income is $45,599 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 118 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Reading, with tuition ranging from $29,990 to $40,813 per year for indexed programs. In the Reading, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $108,050 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Reading
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 118 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Reading. Distances are calculated from Reading city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Area Community College | Reading, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alvernia University | Reading, PA | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute | Wyomissing, PA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Reading, PA | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Berks Career & Technology Center | Leesport, PA | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | Kutztown, PA | 14.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | Schuylkill Haven, PA | 24.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lebanon County Area Vocational Technical School | Lebanon, PA | 24.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Valley Forge | Phoenixville, PA | 25.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lancaster Bible College | Lancaster, PA | 26.4 mi | $29,990 - $40,813 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Pennsylvania schools on the Pennsylvania criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Reading
Reading is part of the Reading, PA metro area (BLS area code 39740). 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 | $102,810 | Reading, PA | $105,881 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $108,050 | Reading, PA | $111,277 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $96,150 | Reading, PA | $99,022 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $87,930 | Reading, PA | $90,556 |
| Correctional Officer | $63,540 | PA statewide | $65,438 |
| Probation Officer | $65,510 | PA statewide | $67,467 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 | PA statewide | $59,547 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,920 | Reading, PA | $59,650 |
| Information Security Analyst | $105,800 | Reading, PA | $108,960 |
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.
Reading at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,836 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,599 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Reading-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Pottstown, PA – 16.1 mi away (109,052 pop)
- Lebanon, PA – 26.1 mi away (77,839 pop)
- Pottsville, PA – 27.8 mi away (41,479 pop)
- Lancaster, PA – 28.5 mi away (401,205 pop)
- Allentown, PA – 29.6 mi away (678,169 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Reading, PA?
Our directory has 118 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Reading. The closest is Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lancaster Bible College (26.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Reading?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Reading are: Police Supervisor ($108,050), Information Security Analyst ($105,800), Attorney ($102,810). 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 Pottstown instead of Reading?
Pottstown, PA is 16.1 miles from Reading 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 Reading an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Reading’s median household income of $45,599 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Reading 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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