Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of about 250,887. The city’s median household income is $57,673 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 37.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem, with tuition ranging from $6,735 to $22,345 per year. In the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $123,700 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Winston-Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Winston-Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina University | Winston-Salem, NC | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salem College | Winston-Salem, NC | 1.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, NC | 2.1 mi | $6,735 - $22,345 | – |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem, NC | 2.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| High Point University | High Point, NC | 15.7 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 Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is part of the Winston-Salem, NC metro area (BLS area code 49180). 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 | $121,230 | Winston-Salem, NC | $131,772 |
| Judge or Magistrate | N/A | NC statewide | – |
| Police Supervisor | $80,610 | Winston-Salem, NC | $87,620 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $57,880 | Winston-Salem, NC | $62,913 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $55,840 | Winston-Salem, NC | $60,696 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,040 | Winston-Salem, NC | $53,304 |
| Probation Officer | $64,340 | Winston-Salem, NC | $69,935 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $42,720 | Winston-Salem, NC | $46,435 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,110 | Winston-Salem, NC | $51,207 |
| Information Security Analyst | $123,700 | Winston-Salem, NC | $134,457 |
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.
Winston-Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $57,673 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 37.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Winston-Salem-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Clemmons, NC – 8.5 mi away (20,079 pop)
- Kernersville, NC – 9.8 mi away (24,066 pop)
- High Point, NC – 16.9 mi away (177,412 pop)
- Thomasville, NC – 18.3 mi away (27,030 pop)
- Greensboro, NC – 24.2 mi away (331,894 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Winston-Salem, NC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Winston-Salem. The closest is Carolina University in Winston-Salem, NC (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is High Point University (15.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Winston-Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Winston-Salem are: Information Security Analyst ($123,700), Attorney ($121,230), Police Supervisor ($80,610). 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 Clemmons instead of Winston-Salem?
Clemmons, NC is 8.5 miles from Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Winston-Salem’s median household income of $57,673 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Winston-Salem 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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