Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jonesboro, AR (2026)
Jonesboro, Arkansas has a population of about 79,187. The city’s median household income is $52,559 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jonesboro, with tuition ranging from $7,754 to $22,823 per year. In Arkansas, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $192,910 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Jonesboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Jonesboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1.7 mi | $7,754 - $22,823 | – |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 25.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport, AR | 31.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas, AR | 32.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville, AR | 42.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Jonesboro
Jonesboro is part of the Jonesboro, AR metro area (BLS area code 27860). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $72,010 | Jonesboro, AR | $83,830 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $192,910 | AR statewide | $224,575 |
| Police Supervisor | $63,350 | Jonesboro, AR | $73,749 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $53,460 | AR statewide | $62,235 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $48,120 | Jonesboro, AR | $56,019 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,820 | Jonesboro, AR | $54,505 |
| Probation Officer | $48,970 | AR statewide | $57,008 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $46,210 | AR statewide | $53,795 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,300 | Jonesboro, AR | $52,736 |
| Information Security Analyst | $93,560 | AR statewide | $108,917 |
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.
Jonesboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,187 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $52,559 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jonesboro-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Paragould, AR – 18.7 mi away (26,617 pop)
- West Memphis, AR – 53.5 mi away (25,284 pop)
- Atoka, TN – 57.2 mi away (20,478 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 63.1 mi away (58,622 pop)
- Memphis, TN – 63.3 mi away (1,069,661 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Jonesboro, AR?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jonesboro. The closest is Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arkansas Northeastern College (42.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jonesboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jonesboro are: Judge or Magistrate ($192,910), Information Security Analyst ($93,560), Attorney ($72,010). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Paragould instead of Jonesboro?
Paragould, AR is 18.7 miles from Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Jonesboro’s median household income of $52,559 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jonesboro while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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