Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Providence, RI (2026)
Providence, Rhode Island has a population of about 190,214. The city’s median household income is $66,772 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Providence. In the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $128,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Providence
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Providence city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University-Providence | Providence, RI | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence, RI | 0.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rhode Island College | Providence, RI | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | 8.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | 11.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Rhode Island schools on the Rhode Island criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Providence
Providence is part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area (BLS area code 39300). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Rhode Island statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $128,490 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $126,218 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | RI statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $95,430 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $93,743 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $88,780 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $87,210 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,280 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $75,914 |
| Correctional Officer | $60,170 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,106 |
| Probation Officer | $95,450 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $93,762 |
| Forensic Science Technician | N/A | RI statewide | – |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $54,540 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $53,576 |
| Information Security Analyst | $109,410 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $107,475 |
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.
Providence at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,772 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.8 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Providence-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- East Providence, RI – 3.4 mi away (47,337 pop)
- Pawtucket, RI – 4.2 mi away (71,427 pop)
- Cranston, RI – 5.2 mi away (81,034 pop)
- Warwick, RI – 8.1 mi away (81,579 pop)
- Attleboro, MA – 9.8 mi away (44,434 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Providence, RI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Providence. The closest is Johnson & Wales University-Providence in Providence, RI (0.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is New England Institute of Technology (11.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Providence?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Providence are: Attorney ($128,490), Information Security Analyst ($109,410), Probation Officer ($95,450). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Rhode Island statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in East Providence instead of Providence?
East Providence, RI is 3.4 miles from Providence 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 Providence an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Providence’s median household income of $66,772 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Providence while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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