Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Clayton, NC (2026)
Clayton, North Carolina has a population of about 28,043. The city’s median household income is $73,348 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Clayton, with tuition ranging from $2,336 to $16,798 per year. In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $128,130 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Clayton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Clayton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 12.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Augustine’s University | Raleigh, NC | 13.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shaw University | Raleigh, NC | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 14.4 mi | $2,336 - $16,798 | – |
| Meredith College | Raleigh, NC | 16.6 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 Clayton
Clayton is part of the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area (BLS area code 39580). 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 | $128,130 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,479 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $102,270 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $104,145 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $69,620 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $70,896 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $65,800 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $67,006 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,490 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $53,452 |
| Probation Officer | $63,300 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $64,460 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $53,600 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $54,582 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,620 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,676 |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,990 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $118,116 |
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.
Clayton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,043 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $73,348 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 98.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Clayton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Garner, NC – 10.0 mi away (28,776 pop)
- Smithfield, NC – 11.4 mi away (30,375 pop)
- Raleigh, NC – 16.3 mi away (1,005,457 pop)
- Fuquay-Varina, NC – 19.2 mi away (25,865 pop)
- Wake Forest, NC – 21.3 mi away (40,112 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Clayton, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Clayton. The closest is Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC (12.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Meredith College (16.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Clayton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Clayton are: Attorney ($128,130), Information Security Analyst ($115,990), Police Supervisor ($102,270). 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 Garner instead of Clayton?
Garner, NC is 10.0 miles from Clayton 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 Clayton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Clayton’s median household income of $73,348 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Clayton 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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