Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bellingham, WA (2026)
Bellingham, Washington has a population of about 92,367. The city’s median household income is $65,821 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 46.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. In Washington, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $142,920 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Bellingham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Bellingham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whatcom Community College | Bellingham, WA | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Skagit Valley College | Mount Vernon, WA | 23.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Everett Community College | Everett, WA | 53.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles, WA | 62.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shoreline Community College | Shoreline, WA | 69.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Washington schools on the Washington criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Bellingham
Bellingham is part of the Bellingham, WA metro area (BLS area code 13380). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Washington statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $124,200 | Bellingham, WA | $120,232 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,740 | WA statewide | $127,531 |
| Police Supervisor | $134,060 | Bellingham, WA | $129,777 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $120,080 | Bellingham, WA | $116,244 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $104,350 | Bellingham, WA | $101,016 |
| Correctional Officer | $83,860 | Bellingham, WA | $81,181 |
| Probation Officer | $96,980 | Bellingham, WA | $93,882 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 | WA statewide | $75,169 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $62,470 | Bellingham, WA | $60,474 |
| Information Security Analyst | $142,920 | WA statewide | $138,354 |
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.
Bellingham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,821 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 46.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bellingham-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Mount Vernon, WA – 24.1 mi away (68,613 pop)
- Oak Harbor, WA – 32.5 mi away (34,689 pop)
- Marysville, WA – 48.6 mi away (163,547 pop)
- Lake Stevens, WA – 54.6 mi away (31,679 pop)
- Sequim, WA – 55.0 mi away (20,330 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Bellingham, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bellingham. The closest is Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shoreline Community College (69.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Bellingham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Bellingham are: Information Security Analyst ($142,920), Police Supervisor ($134,060), Judge or Magistrate ($131,740). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Washington statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Mount Vernon instead of Bellingham?
Mount Vernon, WA is 24.1 miles from Bellingham 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 Bellingham an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Bellingham’s median household income of $65,821 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bellingham while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Washington 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 Washington
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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