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Tennessee Criminal Justice At a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|
| Median Criminal Justice Salary | $90,937 |
| Salary Outlook | Tennessee offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. |
| Primary Licensing Body | Tennessee POST Commission |
| Accreditation Required | Institutional + Regional |
Earning an online criminal justice degree in Tennessee offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. Tennessee 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, Tennessee students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.
Online Criminal Justice Schools in Tennessee
The following schools offer accredited online criminal justice programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Tennessee.
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:
BOCSCORE
- 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.
Acceptance rate
87%
Graduation rate
55%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$57,478
Avg net price
$9,854/yr
TuitionIn‑state$38,420
Out‑of‑state$38,420
Key stats- Retention rate: 74%
- Programs offered: 9
Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$55,541
Avg net price
$24,739/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats- Retention rate: 85%
- Programs offered: 17
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
64%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$53,990
Avg net price
$27,171/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats- Retention rate: 88%
- Programs offered: 16
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
27%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$35,594
Avg net price
$7,099/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats- Retention rate: 53%
- Programs offered: 7
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$25,954
Avg net price
$33,625/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats- Retention rate: 31%
- Programs offered: 11
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
44%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$45,454
Avg net price
$32,020/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats- Retention rate: 73%
- Programs offered: 2
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Career Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee
Criminal Justice professionals in Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary (Tennessee) |
|---|
| Attorney | $136,180 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $208,350 |
| Police Supervisor | $74,770 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,090 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,940 |
| Probation Officer | $58,010 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,820 |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,430 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Tennessee?
Choosing a program in Tennessee can provide several advantages:
- In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Tennessee 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 Tennessee often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online criminal justice programs in Tennessee 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 Tennessee compare to other states?
Tennessee offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Tennessee a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.
What is the primary licensing board for criminal justice in Tennessee?
The Tennessee POST Commission oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Tennessee. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.
Online Criminal Justice Programs by City in Tennessee
Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:
Atoka ·
Bartlett ·
Brentwood ·
Bristol ·
Chattanooga ·
Clarksville ·
Cleveland ·
Collierville ·
Columbia ·
Cookeville ·
Dyersburg ·
East Ridge ·
Farragut ·
Franklin ·
Gallatin ·
Germantown ·
Greeneville ·
Harriman ·
Hendersonville ·
Jackson ·
Johnson City ·
Kingsport ·
Knoxville ·
La Vergne ·
Lebanon ·
Maryville ·
Memphis ·
Morristown ·
Mount Juliet ·
Murfreesboro ·
Nashville ·
Oak Ridge ·
Sevierville ·
Shelbyville ·
Smyrna ·
Spring Hill
Browse Other States
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