Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Gainesville, GA (2026)
Gainesville, Georgia has a population of about 44,051. The city’s median household income is $64,636 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gainesville, with tuition ranging from $4,458 to $45,359 per year. In the Gainesville, 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 Gainesville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Gainesville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanier Technical College | Gainesville, GA | 4.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, GA | 18.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Truett McConnell University | Cleveland, GA | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | Lawrenceville, GA | 23.5 mi | $4,458 - $18,033 | – |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 25.1 mi | $30,680 - $45,359 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Gainesville
Gainesville is part of the Gainesville, GA metro area (BLS area code 23580). 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 | $126,240 | GA statewide | $130,413 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $141,790 | Gainesville, GA | $146,477 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,370 | Gainesville, GA | $83,027 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $66,760 | Gainesville, GA | $68,967 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,730 | Gainesville, GA | $62,738 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,190 | Gainesville, GA | $49,783 |
| Probation Officer | $56,980 | Gainesville, GA | $58,864 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,500 | GA statewide | $60,434 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,390 | Gainesville, GA | $48,957 |
| Information Security Analyst | $108,310 | Gainesville, GA | $111,890 |
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.
Gainesville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,051 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,636 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.8 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Gainesville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Sugar Hill, GA – 18.0 mi away (22,197 pop)
- Winder, GA – 21.5 mi away (42,330 pop)
- Lawrenceville, GA – 25.1 mi away (30,782 pop)
- Duluth, GA – 26.9 mi away (29,331 pop)
- Johns Creek, GA – 27.7 mi away (83,873 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Gainesville, GA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Gainesville. The closest is Lanier Technical College in Gainesville, GA (4.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Piedmont University (25.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Gainesville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Gainesville are: Judge or Magistrate ($141,790), Attorney ($126,240), Information Security Analyst ($108,310). 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 Sugar Hill instead of Gainesville?
Sugar Hill, GA is 18.0 miles from Gainesville 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 Gainesville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Gainesville’s median household income of $64,636 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gainesville 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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