Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Vancouver, WA (2026)
Vancouver, Washington has a population of about 192,696. The city’s median household income is $78,156 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Vancouver, with tuition ranging from $5,040 to $30,138 per year. In the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $174,100 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Vancouver
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Vancouver city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State University | Portland, OR | 9.5 mi | $11,238 - $30,138 | – |
| Mt Hood Community College | Gresham, OR | 12.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Portland Community College | Portland, OR | 14.9 mi | $5,040 - $17,271 | – |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview, WA | 38.5 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 Vancouver
Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area (BLS area code 38900). 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 | $161,420 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $153,150 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $174,100 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $165,180 |
| Police Supervisor | $127,090 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $120,579 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $121,530 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $115,304 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $97,070 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $92,097 |
| Correctional Officer | $87,590 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,102 |
| Probation Officer | $81,130 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $76,973 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $86,150 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $81,736 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $74,470 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $70,655 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,640 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $120,152 |
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.
Vancouver at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $78,156 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 105.4 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Vancouver-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Portland, OR – 7.2 mi away (2,027,629 pop)
- Camas, WA – 8.4 mi away (22,449 pop)
- Battle Ground, WA – 10.1 mi away (20,110 pop)
- Gresham, OR – 11.9 mi away (111,523 pop)
- Milwaukie, OR – 13.2 mi away (20,929 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Vancouver, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Vancouver. The closest is Portland State University in Portland, OR (9.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lower Columbia College (38.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Vancouver?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Vancouver are: Judge or Magistrate ($174,100), Attorney ($161,420), Police Supervisor ($127,090). 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 Portland instead of Vancouver?
Portland, OR is 7.2 miles from Vancouver 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 Vancouver an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Vancouver’s median household income of $78,156 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Vancouver 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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