Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Jackson, TN (2026)
Jackson, Tennessee has a population of about 68,098. The city’s median household income is $51,552 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 26.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jackson. 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 Jackson
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Jackson city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lane College | Jackson, TN | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Jackson State Community College | Jackson, TN | 3.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson, TN | 18.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Bethel University | McKenzie, TN | 38.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dyersburg State Community College | Dyersburg, TN | 41.3 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 Jackson
Jackson is part of the Jackson, TN metro area (BLS area code 27180). 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 | $120,950 | Jackson, TN | $141,462 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $178,730 | TN statewide | $209,041 |
| Police Supervisor | $67,400 | Jackson, TN | $78,830 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $74,680 | Jackson, TN | $87,345 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $53,400 | Jackson, TN | $62,456 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,310 | Jackson, TN | $54,164 |
| Probation Officer | $58,010 | Jackson, TN | $67,848 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $74,730 | Jackson, TN | $87,404 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,420 | Jackson, TN | $56,632 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,990 | TN statewide | $118,117 |
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.
Jackson at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,098 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,552 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 26.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 85.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Jackson-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Dyersburg, TN – 40.7 mi away (21,313 pop)
- Atoka, TN – 55.8 mi away (20,478 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 62.5 mi away (58,622 pop)
- Collierville, TN – 64.2 mi away (49,177 pop)
- Germantown, TN – 66.4 mi away (39,056 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Jackson, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Jackson. The closest is Lane College in Jackson, TN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Dyersburg State Community College (41.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Jackson?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Jackson are: Judge or Magistrate ($178,730), Attorney ($120,950), 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 Dyersburg instead of Jackson?
Dyersburg, TN is 40.7 miles from Jackson 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 Jackson an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Jackson’s median household income of $51,552 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Jackson 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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