Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hattiesburg, MS (2026)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi has a population of about 48,507. The city’s median household income is $44,140 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hattiesburg, with tuition ranging from $4,203 to $15,772 per year. In Mississippi, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $84,640 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Hattiesburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Hattiesburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Carey University | Hattiesburg, MS | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | 1.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 68.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northshore Technical Community College | Lacombe, LA | 78.1 mi | $4,203 - $15,772 | – |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 79.0 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 Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg is part of the Hattiesburg, MS metro area (BLS area code 25620). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Mississippi statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $82,990 | Hattiesburg, MS | $94,737 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $49,900 | MS statewide | $56,963 |
| Police Supervisor | $61,260 | Hattiesburg, MS | $69,932 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $49,990 | Hattiesburg, MS | $57,066 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $42,690 | Hattiesburg, MS | $48,733 |
| Correctional Officer | $38,780 | Hattiesburg, MS | $44,269 |
| Probation Officer | $32,500 | MS statewide | $37,100 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $54,720 | MS statewide | $62,466 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $34,580 | Hattiesburg, MS | $39,475 |
| Information Security Analyst | $84,640 | MS statewide | $96,621 |
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.
Hattiesburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,507 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $44,140 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 87.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Hattiesburg-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Laurel, MS – 28.7 mi away (26,433 pop)
- Gulfport, MS – 62.6 mi away (222,131 pop)
- Biloxi, MS – 63.7 mi away (45,975 pop)
- Slidell, LA – 75.7 mi away (94,320 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 77.8 mi away (23,826 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Hattiesburg, MS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hattiesburg. The closest is William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of South Alabama (79.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Hattiesburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Hattiesburg are: Information Security Analyst ($84,640), Attorney ($82,990), Police Supervisor ($61,260). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Mississippi statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Laurel instead of Hattiesburg?
Laurel, MS is 28.7 miles from Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Hattiesburg’s median household income of $44,140 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hattiesburg 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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