Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Appleton, WI (2026)
Appleton, Wisconsin has a population of about 74,873. The city’s median household income is $77,450 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Appleton, with tuition ranging from $11,982 to $24,230 per year. In the Appleton, WI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $108,770 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Appleton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Appleton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI | 19.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | 22.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | Green Bay, WI | 23.1 mi | $11,982 - $24,230 | – |
| Marian University | Fond Du Lac, WI | 34.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Wisconsin schools on the Wisconsin criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Appleton
Appleton is part of the Appleton, WI metro area (BLS area code 11540). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Wisconsin statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $108,770 | Appleton, WI | $117,716 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $83,620 | WI statewide | $90,498 |
| Police Supervisor | $98,170 | Appleton, WI | $106,245 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $91,680 | Appleton, WI | $99,221 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $79,100 | Appleton, WI | $85,606 |
| Correctional Officer | $62,050 | Appleton, WI | $67,154 |
| Probation Officer | $60,470 | Appleton, WI | $65,444 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,920 | WI statewide | $67,013 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,690 | Appleton, WI | $54,859 |
| Information Security Analyst | $95,950 | Appleton, WI | $103,842 |
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.
Appleton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,873 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,450 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Appleton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Neenah, WI – 8.7 mi away (25,914 pop)
- De Pere, WI – 18.6 mi away (24,893 pop)
- Oshkosh, WI – 19.5 mi away (75,057 pop)
- Green Bay, WI – 25.7 mi away (208,670 pop)
- Fond du Lac, WI – 35.0 mi away (54,811 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Appleton, WI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Appleton. The closest is Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI (3.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Marian University (34.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Appleton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Appleton are: Attorney ($108,770), Police Supervisor ($98,170), Information Security Analyst ($95,950). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Wisconsin statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Neenah instead of Appleton?
Neenah, WI is 8.7 miles from Appleton 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 Appleton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Appleton’s median household income of $77,450 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Appleton while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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