Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jackson, MS (2026)
Jackson, Mississippi has a population of about 149,827. The city’s median household income is $43,238 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Jackson, with tuition ranging from $3,510 to $39,167 per year for indexed programs. In the Jackson, MS metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $103,400 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Jackson
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 14 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Jackson. Distances are calculated from Jackson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | 1.4 mi | $9,090 - $28,611 | – |
| Strayer University-Mississippi | Jackson, MS | 1.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | 7.0 mi | $21,698 - $39,167 | – |
| Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | 12.6 mi | $3,825 - $9,817 | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 44.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 48.3 mi | $3,510 - $12,733 | – |
| Alcorn State University | Alcorn State, MS | 62.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | 64.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | 79.8 mi | $3,540 - $9,270 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Jackson
Jackson is part of the Jackson, MS metro area (BLS area code 27140). 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 | $103,400 | Jackson, MS | $116,180 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $49,390 | Jackson, MS | $55,494 |
| Police Supervisor | $59,990 | Jackson, MS | $67,404 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $61,350 | Jackson, MS | $68,933 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $46,520 | Jackson, MS | $52,270 |
| Correctional Officer | $42,770 | Jackson, MS | $48,056 |
| Probation Officer | $35,150 | Jackson, MS | $39,494 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,010 | Jackson, MS | $69,674 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,910 | Jackson, MS | $53,831 |
| Information Security Analyst | $88,540 | Jackson, MS | $99,483 |
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.
Jackson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $43,238 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jackson-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Pearl, MS – 7.7 mi away (26,485 pop)
- Clinton, MS – 7.9 mi away (25,211 pop)
- Ridgeland, MS – 8.3 mi away (24,483 pop)
- Madison, MS – 11.9 mi away (26,031 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 13.3 mi away (23,826 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Jackson, MS?
Our directory has 14 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Jackson. The closest is Jackson State University in Jackson, MS (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mississippi Delta Community College (79.8 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jackson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jackson are: Attorney ($103,400), Information Security Analyst ($88,540), Forensic Science Technician ($62,010). 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 Pearl instead of Jackson?
Pearl, MS is 7.7 miles from Jackson 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 Jackson an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Jackson’s median household income of $43,238 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jackson 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
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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