Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Denton, TX (2026)
Denton, Texas has a population of about 146,987. The city’s median household income is $73,719 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Denton. In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $157,340 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Denton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Denton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Texas | Denton, TX | 0.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Texas Woman’s University | Denton, TX | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| DeVry University-Texas | Irving, TX | 22.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online | Addison, TX | 24.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Texas | Farmers Branch, TX | 24.7 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 Denton
Denton is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area (BLS area code 19100). 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 | $157,340 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $152,609 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $135,781 |
| Police Supervisor | $121,470 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $117,818 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $84,980 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $82,425 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $91,470 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $88,720 |
| Correctional Officer | $58,290 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $56,537 |
| Probation Officer | $62,140 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $60,272 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,380 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $53,715 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,900 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $59,069 |
| Information Security Analyst | $131,280 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $127,333 |
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.
Denton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,719 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Denton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Corinth, TX – 6.6 mi away (21,078 pop)
- Little Elm, TX – 12.6 mi away (42,504 pop)
- Flower Mound, TX – 12.7 mi away (73,547 pop)
- Lewisville, TX – 15.0 mi away (104,659 pop)
- The Colony, TX – 16.5 mi away (42,408 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Denton, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Denton. The closest is University of North Texas in Denton, TX (0.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Strayer University-Texas (24.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Denton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Denton are: Attorney ($157,340), Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Information Security Analyst ($131,280). 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 Corinth instead of Denton?
Corinth, TX is 6.6 miles from Denton 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 Denton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Denton’s median household income of $73,719 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Denton 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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