Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bessemer, AL (2026)
Bessemer, Alabama has a population of about 25,655. The city’s median household income is $37,844 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bessemer, with tuition ranging from $13,920 to $23,838 per year. In the Birmingham, AL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $152,240 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Bessemer
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Bessemer city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 7.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Miles College | Fairfield, AL | 8.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 10.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Alabama | Birmingham, AL | 13.7 mi | $13,920 - $23,838 | – |
| Jefferson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Bessemer
Bessemer is part of the Birmingham, AL metro area (BLS area code 13820). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Alabama statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $152,240 | Birmingham, AL | $166,201 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $51,520 | Birmingham, AL | $56,245 |
| Police Supervisor | $90,200 | Birmingham, AL | $98,472 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $76,580 | Birmingham, AL | $83,603 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $61,050 | Birmingham, AL | $66,648 |
| Correctional Officer | $54,050 | Birmingham, AL | $59,007 |
| Probation Officer | $56,960 | Birmingham, AL | $62,183 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $66,020 | Birmingham, AL | $72,074 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,540 | Birmingham, AL | $62,817 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,950 | Birmingham, AL | $110,207 |
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.
Bessemer at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,655 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,844 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bessemer-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hoover, AL – 9.5 mi away (84,978 pop)
- Homewood, AL – 11.3 mi away (25,613 pop)
- Pelham, AL – 13.0 mi away (23,050 pop)
- Alabaster, AL – 13.5 mi away (32,948 pop)
- Vestavia Hills, AL – 14.2 mi away (34,688 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Bessemer, AL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bessemer. The closest is Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL (7.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Jefferson State Community College (23.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Bessemer?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Bessemer are: Attorney ($152,240), Information Security Analyst ($100,950), Police Supervisor ($90,200). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Alabama statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hoover instead of Bessemer?
Hoover, AL is 9.5 miles from Bessemer 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 Bessemer an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Bessemer’s median household income of $37,844 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bessemer while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Alabama 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 Alabama
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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