Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Tacoma, WA (2026)
Tacoma, Washington has a population of about 220,482. The city’s median household income is $83,857 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Tacoma. In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $162,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Tacoma
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Tacoma city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma, WA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pierce College District | Lakewood, WA | 7.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Highline College | Des Moines, WA | 12.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Green River College | Auburn, WA | 13.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Martin’s University | Lacey, WA | 22.0 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 Tacoma
Tacoma is part of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area (BLS area code 42660). 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 | $162,680 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $146,427 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $132,960 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $119,676 |
| Police Supervisor | $151,560 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $136,418 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $122,450 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $110,216 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $114,200 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,790 |
| Correctional Officer | $80,280 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $72,259 |
| Probation Officer | $83,800 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,428 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $82,600 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $74,347 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $84,950 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,463 |
| Information Security Analyst | $152,660 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $137,408 |
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.
Tacoma at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $83,857 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 111.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Tacoma-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- University Place, WA – 4.8 mi away (33,288 pop)
- Lakewood, WA – 6.6 mi away (60,665 pop)
- Federal Way, WA – 7.1 mi away (96,757 pop)
- Puyallup, WA – 8.8 mi away (40,640 pop)
- Des Moines, WA – 12.1 mi away (31,172 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Tacoma, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Tacoma. The closest is University of Washington-Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Martin’s University (22.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Tacoma?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Tacoma are: Attorney ($162,680), Information Security Analyst ($152,660), Police Supervisor ($151,560). 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 University Place instead of Tacoma?
University Place, WA is 4.8 miles from Tacoma 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 Tacoma an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Tacoma’s median household income of $83,857 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tacoma 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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