Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Petersburg, VA (2026)
Petersburg, Virginia has a population of about 33,365. The city’s median household income is $50,741 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 25.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Petersburg. In the Richmond, VA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $132,860 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Petersburg
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Petersburg city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State University | Petersburg, VA | 1.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | 9.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA | 24.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| [South University-Richmond](https://www.southuniversity.edu/richmond#location=Richmond, VA) | Glen Allen, VA | 32.5 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 Petersburg
Petersburg is part of the Richmond, VA metro area (BLS area code 40060). 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 | $132,860 | Richmond, VA | $135,710 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | Richmond, VA | $106,231 |
| Police Supervisor | $100,670 | Richmond, VA | $102,829 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $88,500 | Richmond, VA | $90,398 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $62,480 | Richmond, VA | $63,820 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,050 | Richmond, VA | $53,166 |
| Probation Officer | $59,690 | Richmond, VA | $60,970 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $66,370 | Richmond, VA | $67,794 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $58,990 | Richmond, VA | $60,255 |
| Information Security Analyst | $122,530 | Richmond, VA | $125,158 |
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.
Petersburg at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,365 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $50,741 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 25.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Petersburg-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Hopewell, VA – 7.9 mi away (22,735 pop)
- Richmond, VA – 22.9 mi away (1,041,877 pop)
- Williamsburg, VA – 37.9 mi away (81,840 pop)
- Newport News, VA – 48.6 mi away (181,825 pop)
- Roanoke Rapids, NC – 54.3 mi away (23,546 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Petersburg, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Petersburg. The closest is Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA (1.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is South University-Richmond (32.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Petersburg?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Petersburg are: Attorney ($132,860), Information Security Analyst ($122,530), 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 Hopewell instead of Petersburg?
Hopewell, VA is 7.9 miles from Petersburg 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 Petersburg an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Petersburg’s median household income of $50,741 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Petersburg 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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