Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
Chattanooga, Tennessee has a population of about 182,832. The city’s median household income is $61,028 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga, with tuition ranging from $10,144 to $23,563 per year. In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $115,290 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Chattanooga
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Chattanooga city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN | 3.1 mi | $10,144 - $23,563 | – |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | Chattanooga, TN | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland, TN | 22.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dalton State College | Dalton, GA | 24.5 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 Chattanooga
Chattanooga is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area (BLS area code 16860). 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 | $115,290 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,000 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $102,040 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $111,519 |
| Police Supervisor | $74,040 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $80,918 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $70,520 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,071 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $49,150 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $53,716 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,140 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $53,705 |
| Probation Officer | $55,050 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $60,164 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | TN statewide | $77,049 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,050 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $53,607 |
| Information Security Analyst | $107,850 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $117,869 |
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.
Chattanooga at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,028 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Chattanooga-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- East Ridge, TN – 4.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Cleveland, TN – 22.8 mi away (71,601 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 25.9 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 43.3 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Rome, GA – 55.4 mi away (61,019 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Chattanooga, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Chattanooga. The closest is Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga, TN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Dalton State College (24.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Chattanooga?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Chattanooga are: Attorney ($115,290), Information Security Analyst ($107,850), Judge or Magistrate ($102,040). 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 East Ridge instead of Chattanooga?
East Ridge, TN is 4.9 miles from Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Chattanooga’s median household income of $61,028 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Chattanooga 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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