Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Staunton, VA (2026)
Staunton, Virginia has a population of about 25,765. The city’s median household income is $62,586 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 35.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Staunton. In Virginia, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $132,460 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Staunton
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Staunton city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave, VA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | 31.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA | 33.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | 49.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg, VA | 55.7 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 Staunton
Staunton is part of the Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA metro area (BLS area code 44420). 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 | $99,660 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $109,396 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | VA statewide | $114,160 |
| Police Supervisor | $77,080 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $84,610 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $110,220 | VA statewide | $120,988 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,220 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,103 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,100 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $50,604 |
| Probation Officer | $49,810 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $54,676 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,860 | VA statewide | $69,001 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,030 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $52,722 |
| Information Security Analyst | $132,460 | VA statewide | $145,401 |
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.
Staunton at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,765 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $62,586 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 35.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.1 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Staunton-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Waynesboro, VA – 10.8 mi away (21,887 pop)
- Harrisonburg, VA – 21.7 mi away (72,470 pop)
- Charlottesville, VA – 32.4 mi away (99,664 pop)
- Lynchburg, VA – 52.9 mi away (123,795 pop)
- Roanoke, VA – 78.2 mi away (215,793 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Staunton, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Staunton. The closest is Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA (10.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Central Virginia Community College (55.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Staunton?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Staunton are: Information Security Analyst ($132,460), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($110,220), 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 Waynesboro instead of Staunton?
Waynesboro, VA is 10.8 miles from Staunton 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 Staunton an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Staunton’s median household income of $62,586 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Staunton 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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