Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Nashville, TN (2026)
Nashville, Tennessee has a population of about 1,065,078. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Nashville, 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 Nashville
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Nashville city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State University | Nashville, TN | 2.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | 4.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 4.7 mi | $4,498 - $17,698 | – |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | Nashville, TN | 8.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Volunteer State Community College | Gallatin, TN | 20.3 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 Nashville
Nashville 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.
Nashville at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Nashville-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Brentwood, TN – 12.4 mi away (42,517 pop)
- Hendersonville, TN – 13.9 mi away (57,050 pop)
- Mount Juliet, TN – 15.3 mi away (33,263 pop)
- La Vergne, TN – 16.4 mi away (35,071 pop)
- Franklin, TN – 17.7 mi away (74,794 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Nashville, TN?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Nashville. The closest is Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN (2.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Volunteer State Community College (20.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Nashville?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Nashville 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 Brentwood instead of Nashville?
Brentwood, TN is 12.4 miles from Nashville 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.
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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