Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Waco, TX (2026)
Waco, Texas has a population of about 141,925. The city’s median household income is $51,468 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Waco, 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 Waco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Waco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLennan Community College | Waco, TX | 2.4 mi | $3,660 - $13,382 | – |
| Hill College | Hillsboro, TX | 31.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Temple College | Temple, TX | 35.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton, TX | 37.7 mi | $33,150 - $45,235 | – |
| Central Texas College | Killeen, TX | 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 Waco
Waco is part of the Waco, TX metro area (BLS area code 47380). 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 | $108,640 | Waco, TX | $117,449 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $151,341 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,760 | Waco, TX | $108,930 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $75,270 | Waco, TX | $81,373 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $76,740 | Waco, TX | $82,962 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,430 | Waco, TX | $52,357 |
| Probation Officer | $53,620 | Waco, TX | $57,968 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $60,357 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,780 | Waco, TX | $54,897 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,590 | Waco, TX | $113,070 |
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.
Waco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,468 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Waco-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Temple, TX – 33.4 mi away (100,641 pop)
- Belton, TX – 38.8 mi away (20,873 pop)
- Harker Heights, TX – 43.9 mi away (29,757 pop)
- Killeen, TX – 46.2 mi away (243,947 pop)
- Copperas Cove, TX – 52.6 mi away (32,808 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Waco, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Waco. The closest is McLennan Community College in Waco, TX (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Texas College (47.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Waco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Waco are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Attorney ($108,640), Information Security Analyst ($104,590). 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 Temple instead of Waco?
Temple, TX is 33.4 miles from Waco 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 Waco an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Waco’s median household income of $51,468 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Waco 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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