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Criminal justice programs in Tennessee

12 criminal justice programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these criminal justice programs, and Tennessee has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Police officers protect lives and property, and detectives gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. The education needed ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree, and new officers usually attend a training academy before they start.1

In Tennessee, all 12 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 12 programs here are criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree, 8 programs), criminal justice certificate (3 programs) and corrections certificate (1 program).

See the 12 programs

How much do criminal justice programs cost in Tennessee?

Two-year degrees (8 programs)
$9,200 to $10,526most of them, usually 60 to 64 weeks long
Other criminal justice programs (4 programs)
$2,672 to $40,832all 4 with a price

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
57%
Working 6 months later
83%
Earned a year, estimated
about $27,800
Length
30 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Tennessee may also offer criminal justice programs. How these figures are made

Are there free criminal justice programs in Tennessee?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 12 criminal justice programs in Tennessee approved for WIOA funding

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12 programs

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Studies

    Southwest Tennessee Community College

    Memphis

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southwest Tennessee Community College, MemphisCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,900
    Price if you pay yourself$10,345
    School website, Criminal Justice Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College
    Finished
    5%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,224
    Length
    52 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    339
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,345
    School website, Criminal Justice Studies at Southwest Tennessee Community College

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice AAS

    Volunteer State Community College

    Gallatin

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Volunteer State Community College, GallatinCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$39,200
    Price if you pay yourself$10,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice AAS at Volunteer State Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice AAS at Volunteer State Community College
    Finished
    36%
    Working at 6 months
    84%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,789
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $2,400
    Students counted
    312
    Earned a year, estimated
    $39,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice AAS at Volunteer State Community College

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice

    Northeast State Community College

    Blountville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast State Community College, BlountvilleCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,200
    Price if you pay yourself$10,044
    Program website, Criminal Justice at Northeast State Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice at Northeast State Community College
    Finished
    33%
    Working at 6 months
    76%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,542
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,262
    Students counted
    273
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,044
    Program website, Criminal Justice at Northeast State Community College

  • Criminal justice certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice

    University Of Tennessee At Martin

    Martin

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    University Of Tennessee At Martin, MartinCriminal justice certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$23,800
    Price if you pay yourself$40,832
    Program website, Criminal Justice at University Of Tennessee At Martin
    More details about Criminal Justice at University Of Tennessee At Martin
    Finished
    57%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,943
    Length
    112 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $6,000
    Students counted
    257
    Earned a year, estimated
    $23,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $40,832
    Program website, Criminal Justice at University Of Tennessee At Martin

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Law Enforcement

    WSCC Morristown Campus

    Morristown

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    WSCC Morristown Campus, MorristownCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$44,700
    Price if you pay yourself$9,242
    School website, Law Enforcement at WSCC Morristown Campus
    More details about Law Enforcement at WSCC Morristown Campus
    Finished
    61%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,164
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $11,700
    Students counted
    169
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,242
    School website, Law Enforcement at WSCC Morristown Campus

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Degree Program

    Pellissippi State Community College

    Knoxville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pellissippi State Community College, KnoxvilleCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,800
    Price if you pay yourself$9,052
    School website, Criminal Justice Degree Program at Pellissippi State Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice Degree Program at Pellissippi State Community College
    Finished
    68%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,693
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $1,410
    Students counted
    160
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,052
    School website, Criminal Justice Degree Program at Pellissippi State Community College

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Associate Of Applied Science-Criminal Justice

    Dyersburg State Community College

    Dyersburg

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dyersburg State Community College, DyersburgCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,400
    Price if you pay yourself$11,067
    Program website, Associate Of Applied Science-Criminal Justice at Dyersburg State Community College
    More details about Associate Of Applied Science-Criminal Justice at Dyersburg State Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,357
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,000
    Students counted
    67
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,067
    Program website, Associate Of Applied Science-Criminal Justice at Dyersburg State Community College

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Law Enforcement A.A.S.

    Cleveland State Comm College

    Cleveland

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Cleveland State Comm College, ClevelandCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,600
    Price if you pay yourself$9,076
    Program website, Law Enforcement A.A.S. at Cleveland State Comm College
    More details about Law Enforcement A.A.S. at Cleveland State Comm College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,398
    Length
    60 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,774
    Students counted
    48
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,076
    Program website, Law Enforcement A.A.S. at Cleveland State Comm College

  • Corrections certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Oneida Huntsvill

    Huntsville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Oneida Huntsvill, HuntsvilleCorrections certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,672
    More details about Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Oneida Huntsvill
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,672

  • Criminal justice certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Elizabethton

    Elizabethton

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Elizabethton, ElizabethtonCriminal justice certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,746
    School website, Criminal Justice at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Elizabethton
    More details about Criminal Justice at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Elizabethton
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $705
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,746
    School website, Criminal Justice at Tennessee College Of Applied Technology At Elizabethton

  • Criminal justice certificateOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Certificate

    Bethel University

    Based in McKenzie, TN

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bethel University, based in McKenzie, TNCriminal justice certificate · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,300
    Program website, Criminal Justice Certificate at Bethel University
    More details about Criminal Justice Certificate at Bethel University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,300
    Program website, Criminal Justice Certificate at Bethel University

  • Criminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice

    Roane State Community College

    Harriman

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Roane State Community College, HarrimanCriminal justice, corrections or police science (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,126
    Program website, Criminal Justice at Roane State Community College
    More details about Criminal Justice at Roane State Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,065
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,126
    Program website, Criminal Justice at Roane State Community College

How to pay for criminal justice programs in Tennessee

WIOA funding can pay for criminal justice programs in Tennessee

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for criminal justice programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for criminal justice programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Criminal justice programs in Tennessee

programs with a price cost under $10,000
6 of 12
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
16th of 24
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
2 of 16
criminal justice programs here, against the typical state's 8
12 vs 8

State comparisons use the same figures as the criminal justice programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Criminal justice programs in Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville and other Tennessee cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas, 2 in smaller cities and towns and 1 online.

Other training in Tennessee

How criminal justice programs compare with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Tennessee

Where the Tennessee criminal justice program numbers come from

Which Tennessee criminal justice programs are on this list?

These are the criminal justice programs Tennessee approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Tennessee offers.

How the prices and results of Tennessee criminal justice programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about criminal justice programs in Tennessee

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List