Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hickory, NC (2026)
Hickory, North Carolina has a population of about 43,747. The city’s median household income is $63,361 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hickory, with tuition ranging from $2,367 to $18,703 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $121,070 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Hickory
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Hickory city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory, NC | 0.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | 3.7 mi | $2,367 - $18,703 | – |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | 11.9 mi | $2,537 - $15,625 | – |
| Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 20.5 mi | $2,650 - $15,451 | – |
| Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | 24.2 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 Hickory
Hickory is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area (BLS area code 25860). 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 | $96,750 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $109,322 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $75,240 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $85,017 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $58,640 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $66,260 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $52,270 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $59,062 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,040 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $54,282 |
| Probation Officer | $60,850 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $68,757 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,460 | NC statewide | $57,017 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,600 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $53,785 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,070 | NC statewide | $136,802 |
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.
Hickory at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,747 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $63,361 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Hickory-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lincolnton, NC – 19.1 mi away (23,264 pop)
- Statesville, NC – 25.5 mi away (26,506 pop)
- Mooresville, NC – 30.0 mi away (36,543 pop)
- Cornelius, NC – 30.9 mi away (28,515 pop)
- Shelby, NC – 33.7 mi away (27,288 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Hickory, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Hickory. The closest is Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC (0.5 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Mitchell Community College (24.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Hickory?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Hickory are: Information Security Analyst ($121,070), Attorney ($96,750), Police Supervisor ($75,240). 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 Lincolnton instead of Hickory?
Lincolnton, NC is 19.1 miles from Hickory 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 Hickory an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Hickory’s median household income of $63,361 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Hickory 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina (2026)
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