Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Wausau, WI (2026)
Wausau, Wisconsin has a population of about 39,893. The city’s median household income is $61,877 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wausau. In the Wausau, WI metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $108,680 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Wausau
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Wausau city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northcentral Technical College | Wausau, WI | 1.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mid-State Technical College | Wisconsin Rapids, WI | 40.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nicolet Area Technical College | Rhinelander, WI | 46.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 74.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI | 81.3 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 Wausau
Wausau is part of the Wausau, WI metro area (BLS area code 48140). 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 | $108,680 | Wausau, WI | $117,238 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $83,620 | WI statewide | $90,205 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,930 | Wausau, WI | $87,303 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $88,610 | Wausau, WI | $95,588 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $79,070 | Wausau, WI | $85,297 |
| Correctional Officer | $74,490 | WI statewide | $80,356 |
| Probation Officer | $60,470 | WI statewide | $65,232 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,920 | WI statewide | $66,796 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,820 | Wausau, WI | $53,743 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,210 | WI statewide | $107,023 |
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.
Wausau at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,893 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,877 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 30.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Wausau-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Stevens Point, WI – 30.6 mi away (43,735 pop)
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI – 40.3 mi away (28,406 pop)
- Appleton, WI – 77.7 mi away (221,379 pop)
- Neenah, WI – 79.5 mi away (25,914 pop)
- Oshkosh, WI – 83.9 mi away (75,057 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Wausau, WI?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Wausau. The closest is Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, WI (1.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (81.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Wausau?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Wausau are: Attorney ($108,680), Information Security Analyst ($99,210), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($88,610). 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 Stevens Point instead of Wausau?
Stevens Point, WI is 30.6 miles from Wausau 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 Wausau an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Wausau’s median household income of $61,877 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Wausau 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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