Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Harrisonburg, VA (2026)
Harrisonburg, Virginia has a population of about 51,492. The city’s median household income is $59,752 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Harrisonburg. In Virginia, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Detective or Criminal Investigator at a median $110,220 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Harrisonburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Harrisonburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave, VA | 11.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | 34.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA | 35.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown, VA | 52.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | 58.3 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 Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg is part of the Harrisonburg, VA metro area (BLS area code 25500). 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 | $106,150 | Harrisonburg, VA | $111,855 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | VA statewide | $109,589 |
| Police Supervisor | $88,300 | Harrisonburg, VA | $93,045 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $110,220 | VA statewide | $116,143 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $61,060 | Harrisonburg, VA | $64,341 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,240 | Harrisonburg, VA | $50,832 |
| Probation Officer | $53,420 | Harrisonburg, VA | $56,291 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,860 | VA statewide | $66,238 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,490 | Harrisonburg, VA | $51,096 |
| Information Security Analyst | $100,740 | Harrisonburg, VA | $106,154 |
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.
Harrisonburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,492 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $59,752 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 36.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 94.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Harrisonburg-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Staunton, VA – 21.7 mi away (58,077 pop)
- Waynesboro, VA – 25.5 mi away (21,887 pop)
- Charlottesville, VA – 34.7 mi away (99,664 pop)
- Winchester, VA – 63.3 mi away (72,928 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 73.6 mi away (123,795 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Harrisonburg, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Harrisonburg. The closest is Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA (11.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Germanna Community College (58.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Harrisonburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Harrisonburg are: Detective or Criminal Investigator ($110,220), Attorney ($106,150), Judge or Magistrate ($104,000). 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 Staunton instead of Harrisonburg?
Staunton, VA is 21.7 miles from Harrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Harrisonburg’s median household income of $59,752 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Harrisonburg 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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