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Iowa Criminal Justice At a Glance
| Metric |
Detail |
| Median Criminal Justice Salary |
$89,568 |
| Salary Outlook |
Iowa offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. |
| Primary Licensing Body |
Iowa POST Commission |
| Accreditation Required |
Institutional + Regional |
Earning an online criminal justice degree in Iowa offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. Iowa offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Iowa students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.
Online Criminal Justice Schools in Iowa
The following schools offer accredited online criminal justice programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Iowa.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$63,386
Avg net price
$18,589/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 88%
- Programs offered: 169
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
93%
Graduation rate
68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$55,177
Avg net price
$15,901/yr
TuitionIn‑state$9,936
Out‑of‑state$21,712
Key stats
- Retention rate: 83%
- Programs offered: 116
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$58,289
Avg net price
$20,716/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 83%
- Programs offered: 40
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$57,125
Avg net price
$18,745/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 75%
- Programs offered: 38
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Career Outlook and Salaries in Iowa
Criminal Justice professionals in Iowa experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Iowa.
| Occupation |
Median Annual Salary (Iowa) |
| Attorney |
$123,550 |
| Judge or Magistrate |
$147,510 |
| Police Supervisor |
$98,840 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator |
$79,560 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer |
$74,470 |
| Correctional Officer |
$53,040 |
| Probation Officer |
$77,390 |
| Forensic Science Technician |
$67,060 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant |
$54,550 |
| Information Security Analyst |
$119,710 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Iowa?
Choosing a program in Iowa can provide several advantages:
- In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Iowa offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
- Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
- Licensing Alignment: Programs in Iowa often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online criminal justice programs in Iowa accredited?
The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.
How does Criminal Justice pay in Iowa compare to other states?
Iowa offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Iowa a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.
What is the primary licensing board for criminal justice in Iowa?
The Iowa POST Commission oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Iowa. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.
Online Criminal Justice Programs by City in Iowa
Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:
Ames ·
Ankeny ·
Bettendorf ·
Burlington ·
Cedar Falls ·
Cedar Rapids ·
Clinton ·
Coralville ·
Council Bluffs ·
Davenport ·
Des Moines ·
Dubuque ·
Fort Dodge ·
Iowa City ·
Johnston ·
Marion ·
Marshalltown ·
Mason City ·
Muscatine ·
Ottumwa ·
Sioux City ·
Urbandale ·
Waterloo ·
West Des Moines
Browse Other States
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