Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Cleveland, TN (2026)
Cleveland, Tennessee has a population of about 48,185. The city’s median household income is $55,904 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cleveland, with tuition ranging from $29,264 to $36,828 per year. In Tennessee, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $178,730 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Cleveland
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Cleveland city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State Community College | Cleveland, TN | 1.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | Chattanooga, TN | 21.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 21.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 23.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | 24.0 mi | $29,264 - $36,828 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Cleveland
Cleveland is part of the Cleveland, TN metro area (BLS area code 17420). 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 | $117,390 | Cleveland, TN | $133,246 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $178,730 | TN statewide | $202,872 |
| Police Supervisor | $68,310 | Cleveland, TN | $77,537 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $72,800 | TN statewide | $82,633 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $49,600 | Cleveland, TN | $56,300 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,490 | TN statewide | $58,445 |
| Probation Officer | $56,600 | Cleveland, TN | $64,245 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 | TN statewide | $80,023 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $45,950 | Cleveland, TN | $52,157 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,990 | TN statewide | $114,631 |
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.
Cleveland at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,185 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $55,904 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Cleveland-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Chattanooga, TN – 22.8 mi away (403,618 pop)
- East Ridge, TN – 23.9 mi away (21,302 pop)
- Dalton, GA – 29.1 mi away (87,688 pop)
- Calhoun, GA – 47.8 mi away (33,092 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 54.6 mi away (23,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Cleveland, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cleveland. The closest is Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, TN (1.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Tennessee Wesleyan University (24.0 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Cleveland?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Cleveland are: Judge or Magistrate ($178,730), Attorney ($117,390), Information Security Analyst ($100,990). 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 Chattanooga instead of Cleveland?
Chattanooga, TN is 22.8 miles from Cleveland 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 Cleveland an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Cleveland’s median household income of $55,904 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cleveland 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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