Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Columbus, MS (2026)
Columbus, Mississippi has a population of about 23,616. The city’s median household income is $40,588 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbus, with tuition ranging from $3,420 to $27,692 per year. In Mississippi, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $92,610 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Columbus
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Columbus city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 47.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 53.0 mi | $3,420 - $11,557 | – |
| Miles College | Fairfield, AL | 86.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mississippi | University, MS | 87.0 mi | $9,412 - $27,692 | – |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, MS | 87.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Columbus
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Mississippi, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $92,610 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $49,900 |
| Police Supervisor | $58,470 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $56,310 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $45,610 |
| Correctional Officer | $36,710 |
| Probation Officer | $32,500 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $54,720 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $39,120 |
| Information Security Analyst | $84,640 |
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.
Columbus at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,616 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $40,588 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Columbus-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Starkville, MS – 24.2 mi away (32,441 pop)
- Northport, AL – 50.1 mi away (25,045 pop)
- Tupelo, MS – 55.2 mi away (46,095 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 79.3 mi away (39,478 pop)
- Bessemer, AL – 83.7 mi away (26,511 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Columbus, MS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbus. The closest is East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, MS (47.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Blue Mountain Christian University (87.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Mississippi?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Mississippi are: Attorney ($92,610), Information Security Analyst ($84,640), Police Supervisor ($58,470). Wages for Columbus workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Starkville instead of Columbus?
Starkville, MS is 24.2 miles from Columbus 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 Columbus an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Columbus’s median household income of $40,588 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbus while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Mississippi 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 Mississippi
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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