Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rapid City, SD (2026)
Rapid City, South Dakota has a population of about 76,836. The city’s median household income is $65,712 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 3 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rapid City. In the Rapid City, SD metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $102,320 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Rapid City
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rapid City city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City, SD | 2.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National American University-Rapid City | Rapid City, SD | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| National American University-Ellsworth | Box Elder, SD | 8.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Dakota schools on the South Dakota criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Rapid City
Rapid City is part of the Rapid City, SD metro area (BLS area code 39660). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Dakota statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $91,460 | Rapid City, SD | $102,534 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | SD statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $83,220 | SD statewide | $93,296 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | Rapid City, SD | $86,816 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $59,230 | Rapid City, SD | $66,401 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,680 | Rapid City, SD | $54,574 |
| Probation Officer | N/A | SD statewide | – |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,280 | SD statewide | $55,247 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $51,440 | Rapid City, SD | $57,668 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,320 | Rapid City, SD | $114,709 |
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.
Rapid City at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,836 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,712 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rapid City, SD?
Our directory lists 3 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rapid City. The closest is Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, SD (2.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is National American University-Ellsworth (8.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rapid City?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rapid City are: Information Security Analyst ($102,320), Attorney ($91,460), Police Supervisor ($83,220). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Dakota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Is Rapid City an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rapid City’s median household income of $65,712 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rapid City while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Dakota 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 South Dakota
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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