Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Blacksburg, VA (2026)
Blacksburg, Virginia has a population of about 45,288. The city’s median household income is $48,070 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 69.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg, with tuition ranging from $12,286 to $54,059 per year. In Virginia, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Judge or Magistrate at a median $104,000 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Blacksburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Blacksburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radford University | Radford, VA | 9.3 mi | $12,286 - $26,681 | – |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | 16.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Roanoke College | Salem, VA | 20.9 mi | $36,774 - $54,059 | – |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum, VA | 30.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Blacksburg
Blacksburg is part of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area (BLS area code 13980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $97,240 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $104,898 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | VA statewide | $112,190 |
| Police Supervisor | $79,540 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $85,804 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $66,370 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $71,597 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $57,140 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $61,640 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,670 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $54,660 |
| Probation Officer | $50,330 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $54,293 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,860 | VA statewide | $67,810 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,260 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,982 |
| Information Security Analyst | $101,770 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $109,784 |
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.
Blacksburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,288 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $48,070 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 69.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 92.7 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Blacksburg-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Christiansburg, VA – 6.3 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Salem, VA – 20.8 mi away (25,549 pop)
- Roanoke, VA – 26.0 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Bluefield, WV – 43.5 mi away (43,012 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 49.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Blacksburg, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Blacksburg. The closest is Radford University in Radford, VA (9.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Ferrum College (30.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Blacksburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Blacksburg are: Judge or Magistrate ($104,000), Information Security Analyst ($101,770), Attorney ($97,240). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Christiansburg instead of Blacksburg?
Christiansburg, VA is 6.3 miles from Blacksburg 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 Blacksburg an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Blacksburg’s median household income of $48,070 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Blacksburg while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia 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 Virginia
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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