Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Milwaukee, WI (2026)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a population of about 569,756. The city’s median household income is $51,888 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Milwaukee. In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $131,000 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Milwaukee
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Milwaukee city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 2.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mount Mary University | Milwaukee, WI | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee, WI | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI | 4.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Brookfield | Brookfield, WI | 7.5 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 Milwaukee
Milwaukee is part of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area (BLS area code 33340). 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 | $131,000 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $135,191 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $83,620 | WI statewide | $86,295 |
| Police Supervisor | $108,130 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $111,589 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $98,970 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $102,136 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $91,670 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $94,603 |
| Correctional Officer | $68,050 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $70,227 |
| Probation Officer | $60,470 | WI statewide | $62,405 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,640 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $67,740 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $60,010 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,930 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,810 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $101,971 |
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.
Milwaukee at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Milwaukee-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Wauwatosa, WI – 3.4 mi away (47,945 pop)
- West Allis, WI – 5.1 mi away (60,087 pop)
- Greenfield, WI – 7.3 mi away (36,858 pop)
- Brookfield, WI – 7.9 mi away (38,016 pop)
- Menomonee Falls, WI – 9.8 mi away (36,769 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Milwaukee, WI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Milwaukee. The closest is Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, WI (2.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Herzing University-Brookfield (7.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Milwaukee?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Milwaukee are: Attorney ($131,000), Police Supervisor ($108,130), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($98,970). 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 Wauwatosa instead of Milwaukee?
Wauwatosa, WI is 3.4 miles from Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Milwaukee’s median household income of $51,888 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Milwaukee 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wisconsin (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wisconsin (2026)