Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wenatchee, WA (2026)
Wenatchee, Washington has a population of about 35,502. The city’s median household income is $70,000 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wenatchee. In Washington, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $131,740 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Wenatchee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Wenatchee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 30.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 53.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 58.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 72.7 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 Wenatchee
Wenatchee is part of the Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA metro area (BLS area code 48300). 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 | $123,790 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $119,143 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,740 | WA statewide | $126,795 |
| Police Supervisor | $130,690 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $125,784 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $116,450 | WA statewide | $112,079 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $100,000 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $96,246 |
| Correctional Officer | $76,400 | WA statewide | $73,532 |
| Probation Officer | $73,540 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $70,780 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 | WA statewide | $74,735 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $72,460 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $69,740 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,680 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $99,788 |
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.
Wenatchee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,502 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $70,000 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.9 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wenatchee-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Ellensburg, WA – 31.1 mi away (22,847 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 53.5 mi away (36,662 pop)
- Yakima, WA – 58.4 mi away (133,687 pop)
- Snoqualmie, WA – 71.0 mi away (25,455 pop)
- Maple Valley, WA – 80.0 mi away (25,698 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Wenatchee, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wenatchee. The closest is Wenatchee Valley College in Wenatchee, WA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Heritage University (72.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Wenatchee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Wenatchee are: Judge or Magistrate ($131,740), Police Supervisor ($130,690), Attorney ($123,790). 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 Ellensburg instead of Wenatchee?
Ellensburg, WA is 31.1 miles from Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Wenatchee’s median household income of $70,000 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wenatchee 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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