Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in San Marcos, TX (2026)
San Marcos, Texas has a population of about 68,920. The city’s median household income is $51,030 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of San Marcos, with tuition ranging from $35,660 to $45,850 per year. In the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $153,990 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to San Marcos
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from San Marcos city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 0.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Edward’s University | Austin, TX | 26.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Huston-Tillotson University | Austin, TX | 29.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Austin Community College District | Austin, TX | 33.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX | 43.0 mi | $35,660 - $45,850 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near San Marcos
San Marcos is part of the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area (BLS area code 12420). 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 | $133,400 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $135,984 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $153,990 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $156,972 |
| Police Supervisor | $127,860 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $130,336 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,470 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $78,970 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $83,820 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $85,443 |
| Correctional Officer | $58,820 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,959 |
| Probation Officer | $57,460 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $58,573 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,590 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,725 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $52,990 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $54,016 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,880 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $124,241 |
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.
San Marcos at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,920 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,030 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other San Marcos-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Kyle, TX – 9.5 mi away (39,060 pop)
- Seguin, TX – 20.0 mi away (27,415 pop)
- Cibolo, TX – 27.2 mi away (27,855 pop)
- Schertz, TX – 29.0 mi away (39,453 pop)
- Austin, TX – 31.3 mi away (1,633,847 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near San Marcos, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of San Marcos. The closest is Texas State University in San Marcos, TX (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of the Incarnate Word (43.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near San Marcos?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near San Marcos are: Judge or Magistrate ($153,990), Attorney ($133,400), Police Supervisor ($127,860). 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 Kyle instead of San Marcos?
Kyle, TX is 9.5 miles from San Marcos 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 San Marcos an affordable place to study criminal justice?
San Marcos’s median household income of $51,030 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in San Marcos 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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