Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina has a population of about 59,889. The city’s median household income is $85,825 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 77.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill, with tuition ranging from $2,528 to $22,570 per year. In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $125,750 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Chapel Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Chapel Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | 8.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 9.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | 20.3 mi | $2,528 - $22,570 | – |
| Meredith College | Raleigh, NC | 21.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shaw University | Raleigh, NC | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is part of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area (BLS area code 20500). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to North Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $123,230 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $126,260 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $96,770 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $99,150 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $65,240 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $66,844 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $59,840 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,311 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,020 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $51,250 |
| Probation Officer | $58,900 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,348 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,460 | NC statewide | $51,701 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,330 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,543 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,750 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $128,842 |
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.
Chapel Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 59,889 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $85,825 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 77.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chapel Hill-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Carrboro, NC – 2.7 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Durham, NC – 8.4 mi away (400,379 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 13.0 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Cary, NC – 16.0 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.0 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Chapel Hill, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chapel Hill. The closest is North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC (8.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shaw University (24.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Chapel Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Chapel Hill are: Information Security Analyst ($125,750), Attorney ($123,230), Police Supervisor ($96,770). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with North Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Carrboro instead of Chapel Hill?
Carrboro, NC is 2.7 miles from Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Chapel Hill’s median household income of $85,825 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chapel Hill while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and North Carolina 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 North Carolina
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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