Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wichita Falls, TX (2026)
Wichita Falls, Texas has a population of about 102,558. The city’s median household income is $58,568 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wichita Falls, with tuition ranging from $4,080 to $13,676 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 Wichita Falls
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Wichita Falls city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls, TX | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Great Plains Technology Center | Lawton, OK | 47.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Vernon College | Vernon, TX | 48.3 mi | $4,080 - $13,676 | – |
| Western Oklahoma State College | Altus, OK | 69.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Central Texas College | Gainesville, TX | 80.5 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 Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls is part of the Wichita Falls, TX metro area (BLS area code 48660). 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 | $82,020 | Wichita Falls, TX | $91,642 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $139,990 | TX statewide | $156,413 |
| Police Supervisor | $73,520 | Wichita Falls, TX | $82,145 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $52,250 | Wichita Falls, TX | $58,380 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $70,030 | Wichita Falls, TX | $78,246 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,020 | Wichita Falls, TX | $57,006 |
| Probation Officer | $51,900 | TX statewide | $57,989 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $55,830 | TX statewide | $62,380 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,970 | Wichita Falls, TX | $53,598 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,970 | TX statewide | $139,631 |
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.
Wichita Falls at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,558 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,568 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wichita Falls-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lawton, OK – 49.4 mi away (92,299 pop)
- Duncan, OK – 56.1 mi away (20,895 pop)
- Ardmore, OK – 82.8 mi away (21,597 pop)
- Weatherford, TX – 91.0 mi away (41,333 pop)
- Denton, TX – 93.1 mi away (432,200 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Wichita Falls, TX?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wichita Falls. The closest is Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX (2.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is North Central Texas College (80.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Wichita Falls?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Wichita Falls are: Judge or Magistrate ($139,990), Information Security Analyst ($124,970), Attorney ($82,020). 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 Lawton instead of Wichita Falls?
Lawton, OK is 49.4 miles from Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Wichita Falls’s median household income of $58,568 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wichita Falls 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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