Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ellensburg, WA (2026)
Ellensburg, Washington has a population of about 18,913. The city’s median household income is $49,888 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Ellensburg. In Washington, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $151,950 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Ellensburg
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 19 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Ellensburg. Distances are calculated from Ellensburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 28.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA | 31.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 43.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 58.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 79.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | 85.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 85.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 86.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education | Kirkland, WA | 89.5 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 Ellensburg
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Washington, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $151,950 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,740 |
| Police Supervisor | $134,120 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $116,450 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $102,640 |
| Correctional Officer | $76,400 |
| Probation Officer | $79,800 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $78,010 |
| Information Security Analyst | $142,920 |
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.
Ellensburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,913 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $49,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Ellensburg-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Yakima, WA – 28.2 mi away (133,687 pop)
- Wenatchee, WA – 31.1 mi away (71,426 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 60.5 mi away (36,662 pop)
- Snoqualmie, WA – 70.7 mi away (25,455 pop)
- Maple Valley, WA – 74.3 mi away (25,698 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Ellensburg, WA?
Our directory has 19 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Ellensburg. The closest is Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest University-Center for Online and Extended Education (89.5 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Washington?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Washington are: Attorney ($151,950), Information Security Analyst ($142,920), Police Supervisor ($134,120). Wages for Ellensburg workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Yakima instead of Ellensburg?
Yakima, WA is 28.2 miles from Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Ellensburg’s median household income of $49,888 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Ellensburg 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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