Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Valdosta, GA (2026)
Valdosta, Georgia has a population of about 55,222. The city’s median household income is $45,849 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Valdosta, with tuition ranging from $11,640 to $26,189 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 Valdosta
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Valdosta city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta, GA | 0.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta, GA | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| North Florida College | Madison, FL | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville, GA | 39.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 40.7 mi | $11,640 - $26,189 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Georgia schools on the Georgia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Valdosta
Valdosta is part of the Valdosta, GA metro area (BLS area code 46660). 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 | $98,580 | Valdosta, GA | $111,642 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $131,670 | GA statewide | $149,117 |
| Police Supervisor | $63,490 | Valdosta, GA | $71,903 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $49,150 | Valdosta, GA | $55,663 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $43,300 | Valdosta, GA | $49,037 |
| Correctional Officer | $44,040 | Valdosta, GA | $49,875 |
| Probation Officer | $50,080 | Valdosta, GA | $56,716 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,500 | GA statewide | $66,251 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,500 | Valdosta, GA | $51,529 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,270 | GA statewide | $140,736 |
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.
Valdosta at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,222 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $45,849 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Valdosta-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Thomasville, GA – 41.5 mi away (24,678 pop)
- Tifton, GA – 44.6 mi away (24,463 pop)
- Lake City, FL – 59.2 mi away (26,128 pop)
- Waycross, GA – 60.0 mi away (24,741 pop)
- Tallahassee, FL – 64.0 mi away (252,825 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Valdosta, GA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Valdosta. The closest is Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Thomas University (40.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Valdosta?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Valdosta are: Judge or Magistrate ($131,670), Information Security Analyst ($124,270), Attorney ($98,580). 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 Thomasville instead of Valdosta?
Thomasville, GA is 41.5 miles from Valdosta 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 Valdosta an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Valdosta’s median household income of $45,849 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Valdosta 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)