Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina (2026)

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North Carolina Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$78,049
Salary OutlookNorth Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyNorth Carolina POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminal justice degree in North Carolina offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. North Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, North Carolina students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Criminal Justice Schools in North Carolina

The following schools offer accredited online criminal justice programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in North Carolina.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
72.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 67%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $57,289
Avg net price $15,435/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 23

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
69.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,836
Avg net price $16,836/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 84%
  • Programs offered: 20

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
69.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $54,967
Avg net price $20,109/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 10

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in North Carolina

Criminal Justice professionals in North Carolina experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for North Carolina.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (North Carolina)
Attorney$127,710
Police Supervisor$91,100
Detective or Criminal Investigator$63,280
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$59,300
Correctional Officer$50,550
Probation Officer$62,220
Forensic Science Technician$59,240
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$57,500
Information Security Analyst$131,540

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in North Carolina?

Choosing a program in North Carolina can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in North Carolina offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Licensing Alignment: Programs in North Carolina often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in North Carolina accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Criminal Justice pay in North Carolina compare to other states?

North Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes North Carolina a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for criminal justice in North Carolina?

The North Carolina POST Commission oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in North Carolina. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Criminal Justice Programs by City in North Carolina

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Apex · Asheboro · Asheville · Boone · Burlington · Carrboro · Cary · Chapel Hill · Charlotte · Clayton · Clemmons · Concord · Cornelius · Durham · Elizabeth City · Fayetteville · Forest City · Fuquay-Varina · Garner · Gastonia · Goldsboro · Greensboro · Greenville · Havelock · Henderson · Hickory · High Point · Holly Springs · Huntersville · Indian Trail · Jacksonville · Kannapolis · Kernersville · Kill Devil Hills · Kinston · Laurinburg · Lincolnton · Lumberton · Matthews · Mint Hill · Monroe · Mooresville · Morehead City · Morrisville · New Bern · Pinehurst · Raleigh · Roanoke Rapids · Rockingham · Rocky Mount · Salisbury · Sanford · Shelby · Smithfield · Statesville · Thomasville · Wake Forest · Wilmington · Wilson · Winston-Salem


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