Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Copperas Cove, TX (2026)
Copperas Cove, Texas has a population of about 37,149. The city’s median household income is $68,900 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Copperas Cove, with tuition ranging from $33,150 to $45,235 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 Copperas Cove
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Copperas Cove city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 6.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, TX | 9.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 26.8 mi | $33,150 - $45,235 | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 33.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| [South University-Austin](https://www.southuniversity.edu/austin#location=Austin, TX) | Round Rock, TX | 46.1 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 Copperas Cove
Copperas Cove is part of the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area (BLS area code 28660). 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 | $122,180 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $134,116 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $153,666 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,420 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $110,231 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $60,120 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $65,993 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,620 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $85,203 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,020 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $56,004 |
| Probation Officer | $44,940 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $49,330 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $61,284 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,000 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $53,787 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,650 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $113,776 |
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.
Copperas Cove at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,149 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $68,900 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Copperas Cove-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Killeen, TX – 11.3 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 16.5 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Belton, TX – 26.1 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Temple, TX – 31.0 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Georgetown, TX – 33.8 mi away (67,140 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Copperas Cove, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Copperas Cove. The closest is Central Texas College in Killeen, TX (6.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South University-Austin (46.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Copperas Cove?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Copperas Cove are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Attorney ($122,180), Information Security Analyst ($103,650). 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 Killeen instead of Copperas Cove?
Killeen, TX is 11.3 miles from Copperas Cove 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 Copperas Cove an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Copperas Cove’s median household income of $68,900 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Copperas Cove 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)
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