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. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cookeville, with tuition ranging from $4,762 to $18,622 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 Cookeville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. 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 | 53.2 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| Bryan College-Dayton | Dayton, TN | 53.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin, TN | 57.1 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 programs are near Cookeville, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Cookeville. The closest is Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN (44.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Volunteer State Community College (57.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
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
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