Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Murfreesboro, TN (2026)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee has a population of about 157,547. The city’s median household income is $76,241 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Murfreesboro, with tuition ranging from $4,498 to $17,698 per year. In the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $218,190 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Murfreesboro
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Murfreesboro city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro, TN | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 22.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon, TN | 25.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 28.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 31.8 mi | $4,498 - $17,698 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Tennessee schools on the Tennessee criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN metro area (BLS area code 34980). 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 | $143,420 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $148,930 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $218,190 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $226,573 |
| Police Supervisor | $91,110 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $94,611 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $75,420 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $78,318 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $66,210 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $68,754 |
| Correctional Officer | $51,010 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $52,970 |
| Probation Officer | $59,100 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $61,371 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,460 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $81,475 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $59,980 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $62,285 |
| Information Security Analyst | $110,270 | Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | $114,507 |
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.
Murfreesboro at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,547 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $76,241 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Murfreesboro-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Smyrna, TN – 10.6 mi away (48,596 pop)
- La Vergne, TN – 14.4 mi away (35,071 pop)
- Brentwood, TN – 22.7 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Shelbyville, TN – 24.4 mi away (21,083 pop)
- Lebanon, TN – 24.6 mi away (33,068 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Murfreesboro, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Murfreesboro. The closest is Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Nashville State Community College (31.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Murfreesboro?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Murfreesboro are: Judge or Magistrate ($218,190), Attorney ($143,420), Information Security Analyst ($110,270). 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 Smyrna instead of Murfreesboro?
Smyrna, TN is 10.6 miles from Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Murfreesboro’s median household income of $76,241 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Murfreesboro 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Tennessee (2026)
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