Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Odessa, TX (2026)
Odessa, Texas has a population of about 114,080. The city’s median household income is $73,030 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Odessa, with tuition ranging from $3,030 to $12,519 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 Odessa
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Odessa city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Permian Basin | Odessa, TX | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Odessa College | Odessa, TX | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midland College | Midland, TX | 17.1 mi | $3,030 - $12,519 | – |
| Southwest College for the Deaf | Big Spring, TX | 54.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 58.2 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 Odessa
Odessa is part of the Odessa, TX metro area (BLS area code 36220). 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 | $104,210 | Odessa, TX | $110,980 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $149,084 |
| Police Supervisor | $110,030 | TX statewide | $117,178 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $59,980 | Odessa, TX | $63,876 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,350 | TX statewide | $81,310 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,020 | TX statewide | $54,334 |
| Probation Officer | $54,020 | Odessa, TX | $57,529 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $59,457 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,150 | Odessa, TX | $50,213 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,970 | TX statewide | $133,088 |
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.
Odessa at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 18.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Odessa-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Midland, TX – 16.8 mi away (142,680 pop)
- Big Spring, TX – 56.1 mi away (29,267 pop)
- Hobbs, NM – 75.5 mi away (41,021 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Odessa, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Odessa. The closest is The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, TX (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Howard College (58.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Odessa?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Odessa 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 Midland instead of Odessa?
Midland, TX is 16.8 miles from Odessa 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 Odessa an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Odessa’s median household income of $73,030 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Odessa 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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