Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sioux Falls, SD (2026)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota has a population of about 197,642. The city’s median household income is $74,714 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sioux Falls. In the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Detective or Criminal Investigator at a median $105,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sioux Falls
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Sioux Falls city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls, SD | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center, IA | 42.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD | 52.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Marty University | Yankton, SD | 57.3 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 Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is part of the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area (BLS area code 43620). 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 | $101,210 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $111,711 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | SD statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $103,700 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $114,459 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $105,790 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $116,766 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $78,350 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $86,479 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,050 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,554 |
| Probation Officer | N/A | SD statewide | – |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,280 | SD statewide | $54,393 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,240 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,971 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,390 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $114,117 |
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.
Sioux Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $74,714 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sioux Falls-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Brookings, SD – 52.9 mi away (24,357 pop)
- Sioux City, IA – 74.1 mi away (106,740 pop)
- Watertown, SD – 97.0 mi away (21,788 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Sioux Falls, SD?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sioux Falls. The closest is University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mount Marty University (57.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Sioux Falls?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Sioux Falls are: Detective or Criminal Investigator ($105,790), Police Supervisor ($103,700), Information Security Analyst ($103,390). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Dakota statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brookings instead of Sioux Falls?
Brookings, SD is 52.9 miles from Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sioux Falls’s median household income of $74,714 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sioux Falls 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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