Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Austin, TX (2026)
Austin, Texas has a population of about 967,862. The city’s median household income is $91,461 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 58.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Austin. In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $153,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Austin
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Austin city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 2.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Huston-Tillotson University | Austin, TX | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Edward’s University | Austin, TX | 5.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| [South University-Austin](https://www.southuniversity.edu/austin#location=Austin, TX) | Round Rock, TX | 12.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 30.8 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 Austin
Austin is part of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area (BLS area code 12420). 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 | $133,400 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $135,984 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $153,990 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $156,972 |
| Police Supervisor | $127,860 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $130,336 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,470 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $78,970 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $83,820 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $85,443 |
| Correctional Officer | $58,820 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,959 |
| Probation Officer | $57,460 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $58,573 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,590 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,725 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $52,990 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $54,016 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,880 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $124,241 |
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.
Austin at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $91,461 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 58.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Austin-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Pflugerville, TX – 13.7 mi away (59,245 pop)
- Cedar Park, TX – 15.0 mi away (68,918 pop)
- Round Rock, TX – 16.2 mi away (120,892 pop)
- Leander, TX – 19.5 mi away (42,761 pop)
- Hutto, TX – 20.2 mi away (23,832 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Austin, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Austin. The closest is Austin Community College District in Austin, TX (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Texas State University (30.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Austin?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Austin are: Judge or Magistrate ($153,990), Attorney ($133,400), Police Supervisor ($127,860). 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 Pflugerville instead of Austin?
Pflugerville, TX is 13.7 miles from Austin 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 Austin an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Austin’s median household income of $91,461 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Austin 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
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