Best Criminal Justice Schools in Mississippi
Academic Programs and Career Paths for Criminal Justice Students
Mississippi has a crime rate 10 percent above the national average, making careers in criminal justice in-demand in the state. Those interested in attending criminal justice school in Mississippi can transition into industries such as criminal investigation and prosecution, correctional facility, judicial and legal work or even wildlife and natural resources law enforcement. This page offers information about Mississippi’s best criminal justice schools, as well as state-specific employment, salary and job growth resources for current or prospective students, and anyone interested in exploring a degree in criminal justice.
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Mississippi’s Best Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Methodology
To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria: Accredited at the institutional level Private nonprofit or public school Minimum of 1 bachelor’s or master’s degree in subject area for 4-year schools Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools Schools were then scored on factors such as: Cost & Financial Aid Number and variety of program offerings Student-teacher ratios Graduation rates (4-year schools only) Placement and support services offered Academic/Career counseling services Employment services Loan default rates These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or “bang for your buck” of a college or degree program.With a variety of program options, specializations and criminal justice schools spread across Mississippi, the search for the perfect school can be difficult. The list below provides an analysis of which schools offer the best overall value for criminal justice students. Each criminal justice school is scored and ranked by features like tuition cost, acceptance rates and financial aid availability. These variables can help college-bound students efficiently assess Mississippi’s best criminal justice programs.
Top Criminal Justice Careers in Mississippi
A degree in criminal justice may lead to many different careers. Take a look at some of the most common occupations for criminal justice school grads in Mississippi below. Before choosing a specialization within criminal justice, college-bound students can get a feel for what each profession looks like in the state of Mississippi, including average salaries and the level of education required for each profession.
Police, Sheriff & Highway Patrol Officers
- Total Employed in Mississippi7,320
- Median Salary in Mississippi$33,430
- Degree Level Required in MississippiAcademy Program
Correctional Officer
- Total Employed in Mississippi7,090
- Median Salary in Mississippi$24,630
- Degree Level Required in MississippiVaries; up to Bachelor’s
Compliance Officer
- Total Employed in Mississippi1,960
- Median Salary in Mississippi$47,040
- Degree Level Required in MississippiBachelor’s
Court, Municipal and License Clerks
- Total Employed in Mississippi1,540
- Median Salary in Mississippi$28,200
- Degree Level Required in MississippiVaries; up to Bachelor’s
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
- Total Employed in Mississippi1,500
- Median Salary in Mississippi$41,660
- Degree Level Required in MississippiAssociate
Detectives and Criminal Investiagors
- Total Employed in Mississippi910
- Median Salary in Mississippi$45,660
- Degree Level Required in MississippiVaries; up to Associate
Probation Officer
- Total Employed in Mississippi260
- Median Salary in Mississippi$28,940
- Degree Level Required in MississippiBachelor’s
Projected Job Growth and Annual Salaries in Mississippi
When choosing a criminal justice school in Mississippi it may also be important to consider the legal and protective service career options available in the state. With crime rates 10 percent higher than the national average, many criminal justice oriented fields show higher than average job growth projections. Compare Mississippi’s numbers on the graphs below and learn about which degree each specialized position within criminal justice requires, from Doctorate to Associate.
Salary
| Job | National | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Professor | 63,230 | 64,460 |
| Probation Officer | 31,640 | 54,080 |
| Bailiff | 30,650 | 44,900 |
| Court Reporter | 32,270 | 54,720 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | 32,220 | 37,330 |
| Forensic Science Technician | 51,420 | 60,090 |
| Administrative Law Judge | 79,280 | 89,970 |
| Gaming Investigators | 32,040 | 34,790 |
Job Growth
| Job | National | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Security | -0.09 | 0.095 |
| Administrative Law Judge | -0.033 | 0.018 |
| Compliance Officer | 0.033 | 0.055 |
| Correctional Officer | 0.037 | 0.144 |
| Detectives, Criminal Investigator | -0.012 | 0.045 |
| Bailiff | 0.047 | 0.071 |
| Paralegal, Legal Assistant | 0.076 | 0.097 |
| Court Reporter | 0.015 | 0.044 |
Source: Projections Central, 2015
Highest Employment Areas for Criminal Justice in Mississippi
Before enrolling in criminal justice school, students may want to have a better understanding of the most employable areas in the state. Michigan has many large-population cities with criminal justice career opportunities, examples mapped below. Details on common industry careers and the largest employment areas in the state of Michigan are included-scroll over the map to learn about each region.
Largest areas of employment in descending order
Protective service
- Jackson
- Gulfport, Biloxi
- Northeast Mississippi
- Southeast Mississippi
- Northwest Mississippi
Legal service
- Jackson
- Northeast Mississippi
- Gulfport, Biloxi
- Southeast Mississippi
- Northwest Mississippi
Additional Information on Criminal Justice in Mississippi
Business Compliance Resources
Correctional Resources
Court & Judicial Resources
Legal Resources
Law Enforcement Resources
Wildlife & Environmental Resources