Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Columbia, TN (2026)
Columbia, Tennessee has a population of about 43,971. The city’s median household income is $61,204 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 23.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbia, with tuition ranging from $4,498 to $17,698 per year. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $218,190 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Columbia
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Columbia city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia State Community College | Columbia, TN | 3.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| The University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski, TN | 29.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 36.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 37.0 mi | $4,498 - $17,698 | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 39.5 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 Columbia
Columbia is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). 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 | $143,420 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $148,930 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $218,190 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $226,573 |
| Police Supervisor | $91,110 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $94,611 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $75,420 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $78,318 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $66,210 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $68,754 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,010 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $52,970 |
| Probation Officer | $59,100 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $61,371 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,460 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $81,475 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,980 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $62,285 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,270 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $114,507 |
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.
Columbia at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,971 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $61,204 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 23.9% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Columbia-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Spring Hill, TN – 11.3 mi away (40,552 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 23.4 mi away (74,794 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 29.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 34.6 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Smyrna, TN – 38.1 mi away (48,596 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Columbia, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Columbia. The closest is Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN (3.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Trevecca Nazarene University (39.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Columbia?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Columbia are: Judge or Magistrate ($218,190), Attorney ($143,420), Information Security Analyst ($110,270). 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 Spring Hill instead of Columbia?
Spring Hill, TN is 11.3 miles from Columbia 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 Columbia an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Columbia’s median household income of $61,204 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Columbia 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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