Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wheeling, WV (2026)
Wheeling, West Virginia has a population of about 26,670. The city’s median household income is $48,498 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 32.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wheeling. In the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $117,960 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Wheeling
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Wheeling city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling University | Wheeling, WV | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | Wheeling, WV | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Liberty University | West Liberty, WV | 7.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont College | St Clairsville, OH | 10.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus | Saint Clairsville, OH | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all West Virginia schools on the West Virginia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Wheeling
Wheeling is part of the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area (BLS area code 48540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to West Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $117,960 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $133,590 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $63,240 | WV statewide | $71,619 |
| Police Supervisor | $72,660 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $82,288 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $90,690 | WV statewide | $102,707 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $52,950 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $59,966 |
| Correctional Officer | $55,270 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $62,593 |
| Probation Officer | $43,770 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $49,570 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $59,930 | WV statewide | $67,871 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,140 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $54,519 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,820 | WV statewide | $122,106 |
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.
Wheeling at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,670 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,498 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 32.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wheeling-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Weirton, WV – 23.8 mi away (68,173 pop)
- Bethel Park, PA – 38.8 mi away (31,911 pop)
- East Liverpool, OH – 39.1 mi away (30,292 pop)
- Monessen, PA – 43.2 mi away (63,467 pop)
- Pittsburgh, PA – 45.5 mi away (1,722,206 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Wheeling, WV?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wheeling. The closest is Wheeling University in Wheeling, WV (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ohio University-Eastern Campus (14.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Wheeling?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Wheeling are: Attorney ($117,960), Information Security Analyst ($107,820), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($90,690). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with West Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Weirton instead of Wheeling?
Weirton, WV is 23.8 miles from Wheeling 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 Wheeling an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Wheeling’s median household income of $48,498 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wheeling while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and West Virginia 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 West Virginia
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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