Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Port Arthur, TX (2026)
Port Arthur, Texas has a population of about 55,779. The city’s median household income is $45,752 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 11.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur, with tuition ranging from $1,770 to $21,626 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 Port Arthur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Port Arthur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur | Port Arthur, TX | 1.6 mi | $1,770 - $11,281 | – |
| Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | 15.5 mi | $8,690 - $21,626 | – |
| Lamar State College-Orange | Orange, TX | 16.4 mi | $2,832 - $13,824 | – |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont, TX | 16.8 mi | $2,844 - $14,139 | – |
| McNeese State University | Lake Charles, LA | 47.9 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 Port Arthur
Port Arthur is part of the Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX metro area (BLS area code 13140). 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 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $135,756 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $155,544 |
| Police Supervisor | $98,600 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $109,556 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $62,620 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $69,578 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,590 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $86,211 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,020 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $56,689 |
| Probation Officer | $51,090 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $56,767 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $62,033 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,990 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $53,322 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,970 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $109,967 |
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.
Port Arthur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,779 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,752 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 11.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 90.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Port Arthur-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Beaumont, TX – 20.6 mi away (147,935 pop)
- Sulphur, LA – 42.9 mi away (20,272 pop)
- Lake Charles, LA – 48.9 mi away (153,097 pop)
- Baytown, TX – 62.5 mi away (75,992 pop)
- La Porte, TX – 68.5 mi away (35,086 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Port Arthur, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Port Arthur. The closest is Lamar State College-Port Arthur in Port Arthur, TX (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McNeese State University (47.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Port Arthur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Port Arthur are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Attorney ($122,180), Information Security Analyst ($98,970). 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 Beaumont instead of Port Arthur?
Beaumont, TX is 20.6 miles from Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Port Arthur’s median household income of $45,752 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Port Arthur 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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