Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Decatur, GA (2026)
Decatur, Georgia has a population of about 24,470. The city’s median household income is $140,480 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Decatur, 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 Decatur
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Decatur city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeVry University-Georgia | Decatur, GA | 0.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston, GA | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Herzing University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 5.3 mi | $13,420 - $27,195 | – |
| American InterContinental University-Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | 5.5 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 Decatur
Decatur 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.
Decatur at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,470 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $140,480 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.3% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 100.1 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Decatur-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Atlanta, GA – 7.3 mi away (5,080,712 pop)
- Brookhaven, GA – 7.4 mi away (52,444 pop)
- Chamblee, GA – 7.8 mi away (28,306 pop)
- Dunwoody, GA – 11.8 mi away (48,884 pop)
- East Point, GA – 12.2 mi away (35,471 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Decatur, GA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Decatur. The closest is DeVry University-Georgia in Decatur, GA (0.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is American InterContinental University-Atlanta (5.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Decatur?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Decatur 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 Atlanta instead of Decatur?
Atlanta, GA is 7.3 miles from Decatur 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 Decatur an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Decatur’s median household income of $140,480 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Decatur 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
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