Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Durham, NC (2026)
Durham, North Carolina has a population of about 288,465. The city’s median household income is $79,234 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 55.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Durham. 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 Durham
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Durham city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Meredith College | Raleigh, NC | 17.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shaw University | Raleigh, NC | 20.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Saint Augustine’s University | Raleigh, NC | 20.8 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 Durham
Durham 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.
Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $79,234 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 55.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Durham-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Chapel Hill, NC – 8.4 mi away (59,246 pop)
- Morrisville, NC – 10.7 mi away (24,732 pop)
- Carrboro, NC – 10.9 mi away (21,265 pop)
- Cary, NC – 14.6 mi away (162,320 pop)
- Apex, NC – 17.8 mi away (47,349 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Durham, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Durham. The closest is North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Saint Augustine’s University (20.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Durham?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Durham 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 Chapel Hill instead of Durham?
Chapel Hill, NC is 8.4 miles from Durham 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 Durham an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Durham’s median household income of $79,234 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Durham 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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