Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Olympia, WA (2026)
Olympia, Washington has a population of about 55,583. The city’s median household income is $76,930 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Olympia. In the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Police Supervisor at a median $144,420 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Olympia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Olympia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 3.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 17.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Centralia College | Centralia, WA | 22.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | 25.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 36.7 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 Olympia
Olympia is part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area (BLS area code 36500). 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 | $128,410 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $123,828 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $117,960 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $113,751 |
| Police Supervisor | $144,420 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $139,267 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $86,200 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $83,124 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $101,310 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $97,695 |
| Correctional Officer | $77,170 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $74,417 |
| Probation Officer | $83,800 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $80,810 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 | WA statewide | $74,879 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $69,060 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $66,596 |
| Information Security Analyst | $120,440 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $116,143 |
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.
Olympia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,930 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.7 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Olympia-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Tumwater, WA – 3.6 mi away (22,538 pop)
- Lacey, WA – 4.8 mi away (47,688 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 19.1 mi away (60,665 pop)
- University Place, WA – 20.3 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Centralia, WA – 22.3 mi away (41,077 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Olympia, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Olympia. The closest is Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA (3.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Highline College (36.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Olympia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Olympia are: Police Supervisor ($144,420), Attorney ($128,410), Information Security Analyst ($120,440). 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 Tumwater instead of Olympia?
Tumwater, WA is 3.6 miles from Olympia 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 Olympia an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Olympia’s median household income of $76,930 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Olympia 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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