Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Lubbock, TX (2026)
Lubbock, Texas has a population of about 261,078. The city’s median household income is $60,487 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Lubbock, with tuition ranging from $1,440 to $40,493 per year for indexed programs. 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 Lubbock
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 12 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Lubbock. Distances are calculated from Lubbock city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock, TX | 2.8 mi | $27,298 - $40,493 | – |
| South Plains College | Levelland, TX | 27.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, TX | 43.9 mi | $23,186 - $34,762 | – |
| Western Texas College | Snyder, TX | 83.2 mi | $3,240 - $12,444 | – |
| University of the Southwest | Hobbs, NM | 93.0 mi | $16,670 - $30,369 | – |
| Clovis Community College | Clovis, NM | 93.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs, NM | 93.5 mi | $1,440 - $9,150 | – |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales, NM | 93.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 94.3 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 Lubbock
Lubbock is part of the Lubbock, TX metro area (BLS area code 31180). 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 | $100,350 | Lubbock, TX | $109,912 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $153,330 |
| Police Supervisor | $107,550 | Lubbock, TX | $117,798 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $71,490 | Lubbock, TX | $78,302 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,260 | Lubbock, TX | $83,527 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,170 | Lubbock, TX | $56,046 |
| Probation Officer | $53,360 | Lubbock, TX | $58,445 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $52,610 | Lubbock, TX | $57,623 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,110 | Lubbock, TX | $49,409 |
| Information Security Analyst | $85,130 | Lubbock, TX | $93,242 |
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.
Lubbock at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,487 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Lubbock-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Plainview, TX – 44.1 mi away (24,257 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 93.7 mi away (41,021 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 94.7 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Clovis, NM – 96.0 mi away (43,327 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Lubbock, TX?
Our directory has 12 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Lubbock. The closest is Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Howard College (94.3 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Lubbock?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Lubbock are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Police Supervisor ($107,550), Attorney ($100,350). 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 Plainview instead of Lubbock?
Plainview, TX is 44.1 miles from Lubbock 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 Lubbock an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Lubbock’s median household income of $60,487 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lubbock 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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