Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Eau Claire, WI (2026)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin has a population of about 69,274. The city’s median household income is $65,369 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. In the Eau Claire, WI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $100,230 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Eau Claire
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Eau Claire city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | Eau Claire, WI | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwood Technical College | Rice Lake, WI | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 53.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | 54.4 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 Eau Claire
Eau Claire is part of the Eau Claire, WI metro area (BLS area code 20740). 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 | $100,230 | Eau Claire, WI | $108,006 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $83,620 | WI statewide | $90,108 |
| Police Supervisor | $99,160 | WI statewide | $106,853 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,450 | Eau Claire, WI | $83,459 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $69,460 | Eau Claire, WI | $74,849 |
| Correctional Officer | $85,280 | Eau Claire, WI | $91,897 |
| Probation Officer | $60,470 | Eau Claire, WI | $65,162 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,920 | WI statewide | $66,724 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,490 | Eau Claire, WI | $52,252 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,290 | Eau Claire, WI | $106,994 |
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.
Eau Claire at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,274 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $65,369 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Eau Claire-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Winona, MN – 53.8 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Hudson, WI – 61.4 mi away (24,001 pop)
- Hastings, MN – 66.9 mi away (22,761 pop)
- La Crosse, WI – 70.1 mi away (102,427 pop)
- Woodbury, MN – 70.2 mi away (68,820 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Eau Claire, WI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Eau Claire. The closest is University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (54.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Eau Claire?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Eau Claire are: Attorney ($100,230), Information Security Analyst ($99,290), Police Supervisor ($99,160). 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 Winona instead of Eau Claire?
Winona, MN is 53.8 miles from Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Eau Claire’s median household income of $65,369 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Eau Claire 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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