Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Murray, KY (2026)
Murray, Kentucky has a population of about 17,888. The city’s median household income is $40,348 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Murray. In Kentucky, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $138,620 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Murray
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 26 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Murray. Distances are calculated from Murray city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray State University | Murray, KY | 0.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | 34.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | Martin, TN | 35.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College | Paducah, KY | 35.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hopkinsville Community College | Hopkinsville, KY | 49.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN | 53.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shawnee Community College | Ullin, IL | 60.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Madisonville Community College | Madisonville, KY | 68.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | 71.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Union University | Jackson, TN | 71.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Kentucky schools on the Kentucky criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Murray
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Kentucky, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $102,670 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $138,620 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,080 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,230 |
| Correctional Officer | $40,230 |
| Probation Officer | $55,910 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $58,230 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,000 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,210 |
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.
Murray at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,888 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $40,348 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Murray-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Paducah, KY – 36.2 mi away (49,027 pop)
- Hopkinsville, KY – 49.1 mi away (32,733 pop)
- Clarksville, TN – 54.3 mi away (179,367 pop)
- Madisonville, KY – 67.5 mi away (24,565 pop)
- Dyersburg, TN – 70.8 mi away (21,313 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Murray, KY?
Our directory has 26 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Murray. The closest is Murray State University in Murray, KY (0.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Union University (71.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Kentucky?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Kentucky are: Judge or Magistrate ($138,620), Attorney ($102,670), Information Security Analyst ($98,210). Wages for Murray workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Paducah instead of Murray?
Paducah, KY is 36.2 miles from Murray 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 Murray an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Murray’s median household income of $40,348 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Murray while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Kentucky 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 Kentucky
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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