Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Herndon, VA (2026)
Herndon, Virginia has a population of about 24,529. The city’s median household income is $141,418 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Herndon, with tuition ranging from $56,543 to $71,549 per year. In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $191,880 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Herndon
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Herndon city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Marymount University | Arlington, VA | 14.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Montgomery College | Rockville, MD | 15.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American University | Washington, DC | 16.1 mi | $56,543 - $71,549 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Herndon
Herndon is part of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area (BLS area code 47900). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $191,880 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,198 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $163,190 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $149,853 |
| Police Supervisor | $124,770 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $114,573 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $153,340 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $140,808 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $83,430 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $76,612 |
| Correctional Officer | $69,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,398 |
| Probation Officer | $68,750 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $63,131 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $80,300 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,737 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $80,550 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,967 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,410 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $127,098 |
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.
Herndon at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,529 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $141,418 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 108.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Herndon-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Fairfax, VA – 9.3 mi away (24,164 pop)
- Leesburg, VA – 13.0 mi away (52,607 pop)
- Rockville, MD – 14.7 mi away (66,940 pop)
- Gaithersburg, MD – 14.7 mi away (67,776 pop)
- Manassas, VA – 16.2 mi away (41,483 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Herndon, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Herndon. The closest is George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (10.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is American University (16.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Herndon?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Herndon are: Attorney ($191,880), Judge or Magistrate ($163,190), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($153,340). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fairfax instead of Herndon?
Fairfax, VA is 9.3 miles from Herndon 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 Herndon an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Herndon’s median household income of $141,418 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Herndon while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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 Virginia
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia (2026)
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