Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Salem, VA (2026)
Salem, Virginia has a population of about 25,477. The city’s median household income is $66,716 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Salem, with tuition ranging from $12,286 to $54,059 per year. In the Roanoke, VA metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $127,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Salem
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Salem city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College | Salem, VA | 0.6 mi | $36,774 - $54,059 | – |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | 5.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum, VA | 24.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Radford University | Radford, VA | 29.1 mi | $12,286 - $26,681 | – |
| New River Community College | Dublin, VA | 36.9 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 Salem
Salem is part of the Roanoke, VA metro area (BLS area code 40220). 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 | $127,270 | Roanoke, VA | $135,972 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $62,560 | Roanoke, VA | $66,838 |
| Police Supervisor | $97,240 | Roanoke, VA | $103,889 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $106,810 | Roanoke, VA | $114,113 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,100 | Roanoke, VA | $64,209 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,920 | Roanoke, VA | $53,333 |
| Probation Officer | $53,110 | Roanoke, VA | $56,741 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $66,540 | Roanoke, VA | $71,090 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $57,710 | Roanoke, VA | $61,656 |
| Information Security Analyst | $104,600 | Roanoke, VA | $111,752 |
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.
Salem at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,477 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,716 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 93.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Salem-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Roanoke, VA – 5.4 mi away (215,793 pop)
- Blacksburg, VA – 20.8 mi away (93,560 pop)
- Christiansburg, VA – 21.6 mi away (22,088 pop)
- Martinsville, VA – 43.0 mi away (34,132 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 48.1 mi away (123,795 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Salem, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Salem. The closest is Roanoke College in Salem, VA (0.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is New River Community College (36.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Salem?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Salem are: Attorney ($127,270), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($106,810), Information Security Analyst ($104,600). 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 Roanoke instead of Salem?
Roanoke, VA is 5.4 miles from Salem 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 Salem an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Salem’s median household income of $66,716 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Salem 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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