Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Yakima, WA (2026)
Yakima, Washington has a population of about 96,810. The city’s median household income is $59,228 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Yakima. In Washington, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $142,920 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Yakima
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Yakima city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima, WA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Heritage University | Toppenish, WA | 16.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, WA | 28.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA | 58.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 70.6 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 Yakima
Yakima is part of the Yakima, WA metro area (BLS area code 49420). 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 | $125,080 | Yakima, WA | $130,974 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,740 | WA statewide | $137,948 |
| Police Supervisor | $119,330 | Yakima, WA | $124,953 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $116,450 | WA statewide | $121,937 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $91,690 | Yakima, WA | $96,010 |
| Correctional Officer | $78,020 | Yakima, WA | $81,696 |
| Probation Officer | $71,690 | Yakima, WA | $75,068 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $77,650 | WA statewide | $81,309 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $61,640 | Yakima, WA | $64,545 |
| Information Security Analyst | $142,920 | WA statewide | $149,654 |
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.
Yakima at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 96,810 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,228 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 95.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Yakima-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Ellensburg, WA – 28.2 mi away (22,847 pop)
- Wenatchee, WA – 58.4 mi away (71,426 pop)
- Richland, WA – 63.5 mi away (54,989 pop)
- Moses Lake, WA – 70.6 mi away (36,662 pop)
- Kennewick, WA – 71.0 mi away (229,624 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Yakima, WA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Yakima. The closest is Yakima Valley College in Yakima, WA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Big Bend Community College (70.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Yakima?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Yakima are: Information Security Analyst ($142,920), Judge or Magistrate ($131,740), Attorney ($125,080). 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 Yakima?
Ellensburg, WA is 28.2 miles from Yakima 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 Yakima an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Yakima’s median household income of $59,228 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Yakima 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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