Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Laurel, MS (2026)
Laurel, Mississippi has a population of about 17,129. The city’s median household income is $37,781 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 20.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Laurel. 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 Laurel
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Laurel city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | 27.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| William Carey University | Hattiesburg, MS | 28.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | 73.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | 73.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Mississippi | Jackson, MS | 74.1 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 Laurel
| 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.
Laurel at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,129 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $37,781 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 20.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Laurel-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hattiesburg, MS – 28.7 mi away (81,995 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 54.6 mi away (39,478 pop)
- Brandon, MS – 63.8 mi away (23,826 pop)
- Pearl, MS – 68.3 mi away (26,485 pop)
- Jackson, MS – 75.8 mi away (342,607 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Laurel, MS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Laurel. The closest is University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS (27.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Strayer University-Mississippi (74.1 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 Laurel workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Hattiesburg instead of Laurel?
Hattiesburg, MS is 28.7 miles from Laurel 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 Laurel an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Laurel’s median household income of $37,781 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Laurel 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mississippi (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mississippi (2026)