Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Starkville, MS (2026)
Starkville, Mississippi has a population of about 25,611. The city’s median household income is $39,751 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 50.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Starkville, 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 Starkville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Starkville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | 47.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 61.2 mi | $3,420 - $11,557 | – |
| University of Mississippi | University, MS | 74.1 mi | $9,412 - $27,692 | – |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, MS | 84.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena, MS | 86.1 mi | $7,912 - $21,606 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Mississippi schools on the Mississippi criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Starkville
| 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.
Starkville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,611 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $39,751 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 50.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Starkville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Columbus, MS – 24.2 mi away (32,386 pop)
- Tupelo, MS – 55.8 mi away (46,095 pop)
- Northport, AL – 72.4 mi away (25,045 pop)
- Oxford, MS – 74.0 mi away (31,728 pop)
- Meridian, MS – 74.8 mi away (39,478 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Starkville, MS?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Starkville. The closest is East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, MS (47.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mississippi Valley State University (86.1 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 Starkville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Columbus instead of Starkville?
Columbus, MS is 24.2 miles from Starkville 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 Starkville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Starkville’s median household income of $39,751 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Starkville 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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