Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Kinston, NC (2026)
Kinston, North Carolina has a population of about 19,576. The city’s median household income is $35,250 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 16.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kinston, with tuition ranging from $2,524 to $11,311 per year. In North Carolina, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $124,880 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Kinston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Kinston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | 3.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | 21.6 mi | $2,524 - $11,311 | – |
| Pitt Community College | Winterville, NC | 21.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 26.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive, NC | 27.3 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 Kinston
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (North Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $124,880 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A |
| Police Supervisor | $87,110 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $62,480 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,030 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,080 |
| Probation Officer | $60,410 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,460 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,390 |
| Information Security Analyst | $121,070 |
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.
Kinston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,576 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $35,250 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 16.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Kinston-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Goldsboro, NC – 22.5 mi away (59,969 pop)
- Greenville, NC – 25.3 mi away (127,464 pop)
- New Bern, NC – 31.9 mi away (51,491 pop)
- Wilson, NC – 36.7 mi away (49,644 pop)
- Jacksonville, NC – 39.1 mi away (101,865 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Kinston, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Kinston. The closest is Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC (3.0 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of Mount Olive (27.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in North Carolina?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in North Carolina are: Attorney ($124,880), Information Security Analyst ($121,070), Police Supervisor ($87,110). Wages for Kinston workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Goldsboro instead of Kinston?
Goldsboro, NC is 22.5 miles from Kinston 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 Kinston an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Kinston’s median household income of $35,250 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Kinston 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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