Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Scranton, PA (2026)
Scranton, Pennsylvania has a population of about 76,074. The city’s median household income is $49,531 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Scranton, with tuition ranging from $39,570 to $52,673 per year. In the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $102,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Scranton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Scranton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Scranton | Scranton, PA | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lackawanna College | Scranton, PA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marywood University | Scranton, PA | 2.5 mi | $39,570 - $52,673 | – |
| Clarks Summit University | Clarks Summit, PA | 6.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Keystone College | La Plume, PA | 12.1 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 Scranton
Scranton is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area (BLS area code 42540). 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 | $102,480 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $109,487 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | PA statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $88,900 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $94,979 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $81,480 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $87,051 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $74,070 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $79,135 |
| Correctional Officer | $66,460 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $71,004 |
| Probation Officer | $62,900 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $67,201 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $57,820 | PA statewide | $61,774 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,890 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $53,301 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,750 | Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | $109,776 |
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.
Scranton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,074 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,531 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 22.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Scranton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Wilkes-Barre, PA – 15.4 mi away (40,569 pop)
- Mount Pocono, PA – 25.2 mi away (23,308 pop)
- Hazleton, PA – 35.2 mi away (55,301 pop)
- East Stroudsburg, PA – 37.6 mi away (56,230 pop)
- Bloomsburg, PA – 49.6 mi away (52,637 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Scranton, PA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Scranton. The closest is University of Scranton in Scranton, PA (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Keystone College (12.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Scranton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Scranton are: Information Security Analyst ($102,750), Attorney ($102,480), Police Supervisor ($88,900). 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 Wilkes-Barre instead of Scranton?
Wilkes-Barre, PA is 15.4 miles from Scranton 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 Scranton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Scranton’s median household income of $49,531 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Scranton 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)
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