Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Temple, TX (2026)
Temple, Texas has a population of about 86,358. The city’s median household income is $64,945 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Temple, with tuition ranging from $3,660 to $45,235 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 Temple
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Temple city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 3.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 5.2 mi | $33,150 - $45,235 | – |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | Killeen, TX | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 35.9 mi | $3,660 - $13,382 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Texas schools on the Texas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Temple
Temple is part of the Killeen-Temple, TX metro area (BLS area code 28660). 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 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $134,116 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $153,666 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,420 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $110,231 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $60,120 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $65,993 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $77,620 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $85,203 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,020 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $56,004 |
| Probation Officer | $44,940 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $49,330 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $61,284 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,000 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $53,787 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,650 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $113,776 |
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.
Temple at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,358 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,945 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Temple-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Belton, TX – 6.3 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 15.4 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 20.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 31.0 mi away (32,808 pop)
- Waco, TX – 33.4 mi away (185,680 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Temple, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Temple. The closest is Temple College in Temple, TX (3.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is McLennan Community College (35.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Temple?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Temple are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Attorney ($122,180), Information Security Analyst ($103,650). 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 Belton instead of Temple?
Belton, TX is 6.3 miles from Temple 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 Temple an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Temple’s median household income of $64,945 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Temple 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas (2026)