Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Atlanta, GA (2026)
Atlanta, Georgia has a population of about 499,287. The city’s median household income is $81,938 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 58.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Atlanta, with tuition ranging from $13,420 to $27,195 per year. In the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $141,790 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Atlanta
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Atlanta city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta, GA | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American InterContinental University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 2.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 2.2 mi | $13,420 - $27,195 | – |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Atlanta Technical College | Atlanta, GA | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Atlanta
Atlanta is part of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area (BLS area code 12060). 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 | $128,910 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $128,781 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $141,790 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $141,648 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,960 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $80,879 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $65,320 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $65,255 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,990 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,929 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,450 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $48,402 |
| Probation Officer | $55,090 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $55,035 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $60,870 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,809 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,810 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $59,750 |
| Information Security Analyst | $126,880 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $126,753 |
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.
Atlanta at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $81,938 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 58.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Atlanta-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- East Point, GA – 7.0 mi away (35,471 pop)
- Decatur, GA – 7.3 mi away (22,813 pop)
- Smyrna, GA – 8.8 mi away (56,664 pop)
- Brookhaven, GA – 9.4 mi away (52,444 pop)
- Chamblee, GA – 10.9 mi away (28,306 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Atlanta, GA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Atlanta. The closest is Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Atlanta Technical College (3.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Atlanta?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Atlanta are: Judge or Magistrate ($141,790), Attorney ($128,910), Information Security Analyst ($126,880). 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 East Point instead of Atlanta?
East Point, GA is 7.0 miles from Atlanta 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 Atlanta an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Atlanta’s median household income of $81,938 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Atlanta while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Georgia 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 Georgia
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia (2026)