Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Cookeville, TN (2026)
Cookeville, Tennessee has a population of about 35,544. The city’s median household income is $48,501 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Cookeville, with tuition ranging from $4,762 to $36,828 per year for indexed programs. 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 Cookeville
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 28 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Cookeville. Distances are calculated from Cookeville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland University | Lebanon, TN | 44.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | 51.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | 53.1 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 53.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin, TN | 56.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lindsey Wilson College | Columbia, KY | 66.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 69.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Athens, TN | 70.7 mi | $29,264 - $36,828 | – |
| Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers | Chattanooga, TN | 71.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 72.0 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 Cookeville
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (Tennessee, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $130,570 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $178,730 |
| Police Supervisor | $72,220 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $72,800 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $59,410 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,490 |
| Probation Officer | $58,010 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $70,500 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $55,270 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,990 |
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.
Cookeville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,544 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,501 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Cookeville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lebanon, TN – 46.7 mi away (33,068 pop)
- Murfreesboro, TN – 54.2 mi away (161,634 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 55.2 mi away (23,026 pop)
- Gallatin, TN – 55.7 mi away (35,734 pop)
- Mount Juliet, TN – 55.9 mi away (33,263 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Cookeville, TN?
Our directory has 28 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Cookeville. The closest is Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN (44.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lipscomb University (72.0 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in Tennessee?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in Tennessee are: Judge or Magistrate ($178,730), Attorney ($130,570), Information Security Analyst ($100,990). Wages for Cookeville workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Lebanon instead of Cookeville?
Lebanon, TN is 46.7 miles from Cookeville 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 Cookeville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Cookeville’s median household income of $48,501 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Cookeville 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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