Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Knoxville, TN (2026)
Knoxville, Tennessee has a population of about 193,721. The city’s median household income is $50,994 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Knoxville, with tuition ranging from $4,576 to $18,622 per year. In the Knoxville, TN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $197,740 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Knoxville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Knoxville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South College | Knoxville, TN | 4.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pellissippi State Community College | Knoxville, TN | 9.7 mi | $4,576 - $17,776 | – |
| Roane State Community College | Harriman, TN | 37.9 mi | $4,762 - $18,622 | – |
| Walters State Community College | Morristown, TN | 42.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | 44.6 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 Knoxville
Knoxville is part of the Knoxville, TN metro area (BLS area code 28940). 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 | $121,020 | Knoxville, TN | $130,691 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $197,740 | Knoxville, TN | $213,542 |
| Police Supervisor | $60,590 | Knoxville, TN | $65,432 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $75,850 | Knoxville, TN | $81,911 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,460 | Knoxville, TN | $65,292 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,560 | Knoxville, TN | $53,521 |
| Probation Officer | $58,100 | Knoxville, TN | $62,743 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $74,020 | Knoxville, TN | $79,935 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,420 | Knoxville, TN | $52,289 |
| Information Security Analyst | $98,160 | Knoxville, TN | $106,004 |
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.
Knoxville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,994 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 33.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Knoxville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Farragut, TN – 14.6 mi away (22,282 pop)
- Maryville, TN – 15.4 mi away (28,703 pop)
- Oak Ridge, TN – 19.2 mi away (29,350 pop)
- Sevierville, TN – 22.1 mi away (24,882 pop)
- Harriman, TN – 34.3 mi away (23,026 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Knoxville, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Knoxville. The closest is South College in Knoxville, TN (4.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Lincoln Memorial University (44.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Knoxville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Knoxville are: Judge or Magistrate ($197,740), Attorney ($121,020), Information Security Analyst ($98,160). 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 Farragut instead of Knoxville?
Farragut, TN is 14.6 miles from Knoxville 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 Knoxville an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Knoxville’s median household income of $50,994 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Knoxville 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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