Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Winchester, VA (2026)
Winchester, Virginia has a population of about 27,981. The city’s median household income is $64,648 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 31.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Winchester, with tuition ranging from $36,028 to $50,500 per year. In the Winchester, VA-WV metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Information Security Analyst at a median $112,450 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Winchester
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Winchester city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | 0.9 mi | $36,028 - $50,500 | – |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown, VA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| American Public University System | Charles Town, WV | 18.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg, WV | 20.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, WV | 26.7 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 Winchester
Winchester is part of the Winchester, VA-WV metro area (BLS area code 49020). 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 | $106,410 | Winchester, VA-WV | $110,269 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $104,000 | VA statewide | $107,772 |
| Police Supervisor | $78,540 | Winchester, VA-WV | $81,389 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $110,220 | VA statewide | $114,218 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,240 | Winchester, VA-WV | $60,352 |
| Correctional Officer | $50,550 | Winchester, VA-WV | $52,383 |
| Probation Officer | $51,610 | Winchester, VA-WV | $53,482 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $62,860 | VA statewide | $65,140 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $51,900 | Winchester, VA-WV | $53,782 |
| Information Security Analyst | $112,450 | Winchester, VA-WV | $116,528 |
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.
Winchester at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,981 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,648 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 31.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 96.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Winchester-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Charles Town, WV – 18.1 mi away (23,759 pop)
- Leesburg, VA – 33.6 mi away (52,607 pop)
- Hagerstown, MD – 40.3 mi away (186,377 pop)
- Frederick, MD – 44.4 mi away (152,047 pop)
- Herndon, VA – 44.5 mi away (24,393 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Winchester, VA?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Winchester. The closest is Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA (0.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Shepherd University (26.7 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Winchester?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Winchester are: Information Security Analyst ($112,450), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($110,220), Attorney ($106,410). 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 Charles Town instead of Winchester?
Charles Town, WV is 18.1 miles from Winchester 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 Winchester an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Winchester’s median household income of $64,648 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Winchester 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia (2026)
Return to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia (2026)