Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jacksonville, NC (2026)
Jacksonville, North Carolina has a population of about 73,507. The city’s median household income is $54,069 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jacksonville, with tuition ranging from $2,022 to $21,009 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 Jacksonville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Jacksonville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | 2.9 mi | $2,462 - $15,130 | – |
| Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | 31.0 mi | $2,022 - $12,205 | – |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | 36.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| James Sprunt Community College | Kenansville, NC | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Carteret Community College | Morehead City, NC | 36.4 mi | $2,310 - $21,009 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all North Carolina schools on the North Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Jacksonville
Jacksonville is part of the Jacksonville, NC metro area (BLS area code 27340). 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 | $93,240 | Jacksonville, NC | $101,238 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $67,460 | Jacksonville, NC | $73,246 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $90,690 | Jacksonville, NC | $98,469 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $52,170 | Jacksonville, NC | $56,645 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,080 | NC statewide | $53,290 |
| Probation Officer | $60,410 | NC statewide | $65,592 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,460 | NC statewide | $54,788 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,760 | Jacksonville, NC | $49,685 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,070 | NC statewide | $131,455 |
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.
Jacksonville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,507 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $54,069 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jacksonville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Havelock, NC – 30.7 mi away (21,083 pop)
- New Bern, NC – 31.1 mi away (51,491 pop)
- Morehead City, NC – 37.4 mi away (48,637 pop)
- Kinston, NC – 39.1 mi away (28,072 pop)
- Wilmington, NC – 45.6 mi away (242,770 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Jacksonville, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jacksonville. The closest is Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC (2.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Carteret Community College (36.4 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jacksonville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jacksonville are: Information Security Analyst ($121,070), Attorney ($93,240), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($90,690). 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 Havelock instead of Jacksonville?
Havelock, NC is 30.7 miles from Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Jacksonville’s median household income of $54,069 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jacksonville 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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