Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pasco, WA (2026)
Pasco, Washington has a population of about 78,446. The city’s median household income is $81,130 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pasco. In the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $201,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Pasco
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Pasco city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco, WA | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla, WA | 42.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Mountain Community College | Pendleton, OR | 42.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 61.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 61.2 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 Pasco
Pasco is part of the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area (BLS area code 28420). 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 | $130,330 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $130,200 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $201,510 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $201,309 |
| Police Supervisor | $135,150 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $135,015 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $103,940 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,836 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $104,460 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $104,356 |
| Correctional Officer | $76,400 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $76,324 |
| Probation Officer | $84,340 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $84,256 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 | WA statewide | $77,572 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,230 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $61,169 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,120 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $137,982 |
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.
Pasco at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,446 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $81,130 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Pasco-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Kennewick, WA – 4.2 mi away (229,624 pop)
- Richland, WA – 8.3 mi away (54,989 pop)
- Hermiston, OR – 29.8 mi away (28,704 pop)
- Walla Walla, WA – 39.9 mi away (56,509 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 61.1 mi away (36,662 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Pasco, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Pasco. The closest is Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Big Bend Community College (61.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Pasco?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Pasco are: Judge or Magistrate ($201,510), Information Security Analyst ($138,120), Police Supervisor ($135,150). 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 Kennewick instead of Pasco?
Kennewick, WA is 4.2 miles from Pasco 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 Pasco an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Pasco’s median household income of $81,130 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Pasco 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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