Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Abilene, TX (2026)
Abilene, Texas has a population of about 127,130. The city’s median household income is $62,720 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Abilene, with tuition ranging from $3,240 to $12,444 per year. In Texas, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $139,990 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Abilene
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Abilene city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian University | Abilene, TX | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cisco College | Cisco, TX | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard Payne University | Brownwood, TX | 67.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Western Texas College | Snyder, TX | 70.3 mi | $3,240 - $12,444 | – |
| Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX | 81.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Abilene
Abilene is part of the Abilene, TX metro area (BLS area code 10180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Texas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $96,870 | Abilene, TX | $107,157 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $154,856 |
| Police Supervisor | $110,030 | TX statewide | $121,715 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $56,510 | Abilene, TX | $62,511 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,970 | Abilene, TX | $85,144 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,670 | Abilene, TX | $54,945 |
| Probation Officer | $51,900 | Abilene, TX | $57,412 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $61,759 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,410 | Abilene, TX | $52,445 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,970 | TX statewide | $138,241 |
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.
Abilene at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,720 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Abilene-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Brownwood, TX – 67.9 mi away (22,551 pop)
- San Angelo, TX – 81.4 mi away (100,472 pop)
- Stephenville, TX – 90.1 mi away (20,213 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Abilene, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Abilene. The closest is Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Angelo State University (81.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Abilene?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Abilene are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Information Security Analyst ($124,970), Police Supervisor ($110,030). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Texas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Brownwood instead of Abilene?
Brownwood, TX is 67.9 miles from Abilene 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 Abilene an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Abilene’s median household income of $62,720 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Abilene while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Texas 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 Texas
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas (2026)