Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Memphis, TN (2026)
Memphis, Tennessee has a population of about 629,063. The city’s median household income is $51,211 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Memphis, with tuition ranging from $4,550 to $17,750 per year. In the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $121,510 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Memphis
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Memphis city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis, TN | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Memphis | Memphis, TN | 2.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis, TN | 3.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Strayer University-Tennessee | Memphis, TN | 4.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College | Memphis, TN | 7.5 mi | $4,550 - $17,750 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Memphis
Memphis is part of the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area (BLS area code 32820). 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 | $121,510 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $131,790 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $106,070 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $115,043 |
| Police Supervisor | $79,980 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $86,746 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,960 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $84,555 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $72,760 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,915 |
| Correctional Officer | $54,410 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,013 |
| Probation Officer | $58,010 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,918 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,660 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $56,030 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,100 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,254 |
| Information Security Analyst | $96,240 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,382 |
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.
Memphis at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $51,211 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.2% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.2 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Memphis-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Southaven, MS – 10.6 mi away (53,214 pop)
- Germantown, TN – 11.1 mi away (39,056 pop)
- Horn Lake, MS – 11.4 mi away (27,042 pop)
- Olive Branch, MS – 12.4 mi away (36,699 pop)
- Bartlett, TN – 12.6 mi away (58,622 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Memphis, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Memphis. The closest is Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Southwest Tennessee Community College (7.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Memphis?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Memphis are: Attorney ($121,510), Judge or Magistrate ($106,070), Information Security Analyst ($96,240). 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 Southaven instead of Memphis?
Southaven, MS is 10.6 miles from Memphis 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 Memphis an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Memphis’s median household income of $51,211 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Memphis 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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