Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Athens, GA (2026)
Athens, Georgia has a population of about 137,582. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Athens, with tuition ranging from $3,172 to $18,033 per year. In Georgia, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $131,670 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Athens
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Athens city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Athens Technical College | Athens, GA | 3.1 mi | $3,172 - $13,425 | – |
| Emmanuel University | Franklin Springs, GA | 26.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | 35.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | Lawrenceville, GA | 36.4 mi | $4,458 - $18,033 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Athens
Athens is part of the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area (BLS area code 12020). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Georgia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $82,060 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $87,953 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,670 | GA statewide | $141,125 |
| Police Supervisor | $75,640 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,072 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $54,820 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $58,757 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $56,920 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $61,008 |
| Correctional Officer | $38,550 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $41,318 |
| Probation Officer | $54,340 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $58,242 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,500 | GA statewide | $62,701 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,390 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $48,650 |
| Information Security Analyst | $120,440 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $129,089 |
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.
Athens at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Athens-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Winder, GA – 20.4 mi away (42,330 pop)
- Gainesville, GA – 35.3 mi away (154,859 pop)
- Lawrenceville, GA – 35.8 mi away (30,782 pop)
- Sugar Hill, GA – 40.8 mi away (22,197 pop)
- Duluth, GA – 44.9 mi away (29,331 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Athens, GA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Athens. The closest is University of Georgia in Athens, GA (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Georgia Gwinnett College (36.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Athens?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Athens are: Judge or Magistrate ($131,670), Information Security Analyst ($120,440), Attorney ($82,060). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Georgia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Winder instead of Athens?
Winder, GA is 20.4 miles from Athens 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.
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 Georgia
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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