Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Monroe, NC (2026)
Monroe, North Carolina has a population of about 35,596. The city’s median household income is $67,265 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Monroe, with tuition ranging from $2,792 to $57,780 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $137,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Monroe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Monroe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wingate University | Wingate, NC | 6.8 mi | $40,196 - $57,780 | – |
| South Piedmont Community College | Polkton, NC | 19.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 21.2 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
| University of South Carolina-Lancaster | Lancaster, SC | 22.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | 23.0 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 Monroe
Monroe is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $137,270 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $141,079 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $74,170 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,228 |
| Police Supervisor | $103,870 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $106,752 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $69,530 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,459 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $65,230 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $67,040 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,010 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $54,481 |
| Probation Officer | $60,410 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,086 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,420 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,819 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $53,550 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $55,036 |
| Information Security Analyst | $127,840 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,387 |
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.
Monroe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,596 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $67,265 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Monroe-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Indian Trail, NC – 6.6 mi away (38,222 pop)
- Matthews, NC – 11.6 mi away (31,495 pop)
- Mint Hill, NC – 13.0 mi away (26,236 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 20.7 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 23.1 mi away (25,691 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Monroe, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Monroe. The closest is Wingate University in Wingate, NC (6.8 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of North Carolina at Charlotte (23.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Monroe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Monroe are: Attorney ($137,270), Information Security Analyst ($127,840), Police Supervisor ($103,870). 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 Indian Trail instead of Monroe?
Indian Trail, NC is 6.6 miles from Monroe 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 Monroe an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Monroe’s median household income of $67,265 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Monroe 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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