Criminal justice programs in Tennessee

Looking for police academy & criminal justice schools in Tennessee? There are 19, including 17 public colleges and 2 private career schools. Police officers in Tennessee earn a median $59,280 a year, according to the BLS.

Schools
19
Public colleges
17
Median pay in TN
$59,280
Cities with schools
8

19 police academy & criminal justice schools

School results

  1. Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers

    Chattanooga, TN · Private

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Medical assistant
    • Dental assistant
    • +3

  2. Chattanooga State Community College

    Chattanooga, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Welding
    • Automotive technician
    • +12

  3. Cleveland State Community College

    Cleveland, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Welding
    • CNC machining
    • +5

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  5. Columbia State Community College

    Columbia, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • EMT & paramedic
    • Respiratory therapist
    • +2

  6. Dyersburg State Community College

    Dyersburg, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Medical assistant
    • EMT & paramedic
    • +3

  7. Jackson State Community College

    Jackson, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Medical assistant
    • Nursing assistant (CNA)
    • +6

  8. Nashville State Community College

    Nashville, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Electrician
    • Medical billing & coding
    • +7

  9. Northeast State Community College

    Blountville, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Electrician
    • HVAC technician
    • +12

  10. Pellissippi State Community College

    Knoxville, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Welding
    • Medical billing & coding
    • +5

  11. Roane State Community College

    Harriman, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Pharmacy technician
    • EMT & paramedic
    • +9

  12. South College

    Knoxville, TN · Private

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Medical assistant
    • Nursing assistant (CNA)
    • +11

  13. Southwest Tennessee Community College

    Memphis, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Automotive technician
    • Pharmacy technician
    • +6

  14. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

    Dickson, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • HVAC technician
    • Welding
    • +11

  15. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton

    Elizabethton, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Electrician
    • HVAC technician
    • +12

  16. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Henry/Carroll

    Paris, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Welding
    • CNC machining
    • +7

  17. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro

    Jacksboro, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • HVAC technician
    • Welding
    • +10

  18. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Pulaski

    Pulaski, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Electrician
    • HVAC technician
    • +9

  19. Volunteer State Community College

    Gallatin, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Dental assistant
    • EMT & paramedic
    • +8

  20. Walters State Community College

    Morristown, TN · Public

    • Police academy & criminal justice
    • Pharmacy technician
    • EMT & paramedic
    • +8

Criminal justice programs by city

What police officers earn in Tennessee

Median pay means half earn more and half earn less. Pay grows with experience, certifications and overtime.

Police officer salary in TennesseeHow to become a police officer

Median pay
$59,280
$28.50 an hour
Typical range
$43,520–$79,480
10th to 90th percentile
Jobs in TN
15,630
Job growth, 2025–35
+3.5%
51,500 openings a year (U.S.)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, and Employment Projections.

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Frequently asked questions

How many police academy & criminal justice schools are in Tennessee?

We list 19 schools in Tennessee with police academy & criminal justice programs: 17 public colleges and 2 private career schools. Campuses are in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Gallatin, and Cleveland.

Are there community college police academy & criminal justice programs in Tennessee?

Yes. 17 public colleges in Tennessee offer police academy & criminal justice. Public programs often cost less and are usually eligible for federal financial aid. Confirm costs and aid with each school.

How much does police academy & criminal justice school cost in Tennessee?

Among the 19 schools here that report it to the U.S. Department of Education, the average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) ranges from $4,270 to $33,625. That figure covers the whole school, not just this program, so ask each school for the program's total cost.

How much do police officers make in Tennessee?

The median pay for police officers in Tennessee is $59,280 a year, and most earn between $43,520 and $79,480, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How do I choose a police academy & criminal justice school in Tennessee?

Ask each school about accreditation, total cost after financial aid, hands-on lab hours, certification exam prep, class sizes and job placement. Request info from two or three schools so you can compare their answers side by side.

Other programs in Tennessee

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