Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Madison, AL (2026)
Madison, Alabama has a population of about 58,335. The city’s median household income is $131,436 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 65.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Madison, with tuition ranging from $4,980 to $23,751 per year. In the Huntsville, AL metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $134,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Madison
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Madison city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John C Calhoun State Community College | Tanner, AL | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 11.7 mi | $10,024 - $23,751 | – |
| Athens State University | Athens, AL | 13.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski, TN | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | Hanceville, AL | 44.1 mi | $4,980 - $18,748 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Alabama schools on the Alabama criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Madison
Madison is part of the Huntsville, AL metro area (BLS area code 26620). 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 | $134,750 | Huntsville, AL | $144,737 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $61,500 | Huntsville, AL | $66,058 |
| Police Supervisor | $104,280 | Huntsville, AL | $112,009 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $90,010 | Huntsville, AL | $96,681 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $63,850 | Huntsville, AL | $68,582 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,830 | Huntsville, AL | $52,449 |
| Probation Officer | $52,350 | Huntsville, AL | $56,230 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $59,560 | AL statewide | $63,974 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $43,230 | Huntsville, AL | $46,434 |
| Information Security Analyst | $127,120 | Huntsville, AL | $136,541 |
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.
Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,335 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $131,436 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 65.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Madison-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Albertville, AL – 44.1 mi away (37,451 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 57.2 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Columbia, TN – 65.0 mi away (37,845 pop)
- Spring Hill, TN – 71.8 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Trussville, AL – 74.8 mi away (21,422 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Madison, AL?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Madison. The closest is John C Calhoun State Community College in Tanner, AL (11.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville (44.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Madison?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Madison are: Attorney ($134,750), Information Security Analyst ($127,120), Police Supervisor ($104,280). 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 Albertville instead of Madison?
Albertville, AL is 44.1 miles from Madison 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 Madison an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Madison’s median household income of $131,436 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Madison 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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