Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in West Memphis, AR (2026)
West Memphis, Arkansas has a population of about 24,147. The city’s median household income is $41,860 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 14.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of West Memphis, with tuition ranging from $4,550 to $17,750 per year. In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $121,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to West Memphis
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from West Memphis city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis, TN | 9.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, TN | 12.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | 15.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | Memphis, TN | 17.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | 18.9 mi | $4,550 - $17,750 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near West Memphis
West Memphis is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area (BLS area code 32820). 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 | $121,510 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $131,790 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $106,070 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $115,043 |
| Police Supervisor | $79,980 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $86,746 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,960 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $84,555 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $72,760 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,915 |
| Correctional Officer | $54,410 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,013 |
| Probation Officer | $58,010 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,918 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,660 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $56,030 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,100 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,254 |
| Information Security Analyst | $96,240 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,382 |
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.
West Memphis at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,147 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $41,860 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 14.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other West Memphis-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Memphis, TN – 13.0 mi away (1,069,661 pop)
- Horn Lake, MS – 16.3 mi away (27,042 pop)
- Southaven, MS – 18.7 mi away (53,214 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 22.2 mi away (58,622 pop)
- Olive Branch, MS – 23.9 mi away (36,699 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near West Memphis, AR?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of West Memphis. The closest is Le Moyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN (9.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwest Tennessee Community College (18.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near West Memphis?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near West Memphis are: Attorney ($121,510), Judge or Magistrate ($106,070), Information Security Analyst ($96,240). 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 Memphis instead of West Memphis?
Memphis, TN is 13.0 miles from West Memphis 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 West Memphis an affordable place to study criminal justice?
West Memphis’s median household income of $41,860 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in West Memphis 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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