Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in La Crosse, WI (2026)
La Crosse, Wisconsin has a population of about 51,791. The city’s median household income is $53,803 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. In the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $102,980 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to La Crosse
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from La Crosse city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Technical College | La Crosse, WI | 1.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Viterbo University | La Crosse, WI | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Minnesota State College Southeast | Winona, MN | 23.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winona State University | Winona, MN | 25.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota | Winona, MN | 27.9 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 La Crosse
La Crosse is part of the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area (BLS area code 29100). 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 | $99,290 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $108,159 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $83,620 | WI statewide | $91,089 |
| Police Supervisor | $94,580 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $103,028 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $92,910 | WI statewide | $101,209 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $67,550 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $73,584 |
| Correctional Officer | $74,490 | WI statewide | $81,144 |
| Probation Officer | $60,470 | WI statewide | $65,871 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,920 | WI statewide | $67,451 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,640 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $51,895 |
| Information Security Analyst | $102,980 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $112,179 |
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.
La Crosse at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,791 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,803 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other La Crosse-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Winona, MN – 27.0 mi away (30,208 pop)
- Rochester, MN – 63.6 mi away (114,976 pop)
- Eau Claire, WI – 70.1 mi away (106,681 pop)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI – 79.9 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Austin, MN – 87.8 mi away (25,105 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near La Crosse, WI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of La Crosse. The closest is Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI (1.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (27.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near La Crosse?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near La Crosse are: Information Security Analyst ($102,980), Attorney ($99,290), Police Supervisor ($94,580). 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 La Crosse?
Winona, MN is 27.0 miles from La Crosse 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 La Crosse an affordable place to study criminal justice?
La Crosse’s median household income of $53,803 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in La Crosse 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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