Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bristol, TN (2026)
Bristol, Tennessee has a population of about 27,490. The city’s median household income is $55,007 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bristol. In the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $104,000 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Bristol
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Bristol city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King University | Bristol, TN | 3.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville, TN | 7.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon, VA | 15.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City, TN | 19.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lees-McRae College | Banner Elk, NC | 33.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Bristol
Bristol is part of the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (BLS area code 28700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Tennessee statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $101,310 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $117,257 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $120,370 |
| Police Supervisor | $64,090 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $74,178 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $70,520 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $81,620 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $50,560 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $58,519 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,490 | TN statewide | $59,595 |
| Probation Officer | $54,990 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $63,646 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | TN statewide | $81,597 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,990 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,016 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,910 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $116,794 |
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.
Bristol at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,490 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,007 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 29.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 86.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Bristol-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Johnson City, TN – 17.6 mi away (127,134 pop)
- Kingsport, TN – 18.5 mi away (116,745 pop)
- Boone, NC – 38.7 mi away (25,039 pop)
- Greeneville, TN – 43.1 mi away (23,953 pop)
- Morristown, TN – 65.1 mi away (60,098 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Bristol, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Bristol. The closest is King University in Bristol, TN (3.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lees-McRae College (33.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Bristol?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Bristol are: Judge or Magistrate ($104,000), Attorney ($101,310), Information Security Analyst ($100,910). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Tennessee statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Johnson City instead of Bristol?
Johnson City, TN is 17.6 miles from Bristol 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 Bristol an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Bristol’s median household income of $55,007 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Bristol while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Tennessee 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 Tennessee
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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