Criminal Justice Colleges in West Virginia
There are a wide variety of programs available through universities offering criminal justice degrees. Below you will find a listing of schools by city as well as online criminal justice colleges that offer classes throughout West Virginia.
West Virginia is a state located in the Appalachian region of the U.S. The state capital and largest city is Charleston. While the U.S. Census Bureau considers the state to be southern because much of the state lies below the Mason-Dixon Line, the northern panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio. Subsequently, many residents of West Virginia don’t know which region or culture to associate with. West Virginia is also often called the "Mountain State" because it is the only state to lie completely within a mountain range, which plays an important role in residents’ recreational lives, as they enjoy many outdoor activities year round. Currently, residents in the state are facing an unemployment rating of 8.6 percent, which is slightly lower than the national average of 9.5 percent. There are 12 private colleges and universities in the state, 11 public four-year institutions, including Marshall University and West Virginia State University, and 11 two–year colleges, which operate more than 20 campuses within the state.
West Virginia recorded a population of around 1.8 million people in 2009. With approximately 100,000 crimes reported to authorities that year, the state maintains a crime index of around 51,000. The greatest crimes committed involved property crimes (46,000), larceny and theft (31,000), burglary (12,000), and violent crimes (5,500). With these statistics, West Virginia ranks 38th in the country in property crimes, 33rd in murders, 47th in forcible rapes, 42nd in robberies, 29th in aggravated assaults, 28th in burglaries, 39th in larceny, and 40th in vehicle thefts. In violent crimes, West Virginia ranks 37th in the country, with an average crime rate of 2.74 per 1,000 residents. This number is slightly lower than the national average of 4.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. Also, West Virginia has a rating of 2 crimes committed per square mile, which is much lower than the national median of nearly 50 crimes per square mile. Generally, more crimes are committed in the urban settings of Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown.
Whether you’re interested in a degree in corrections, criminology, or any other bachelor’s or master’s justice degree, the search for finding the right criminal justice academy for you begins with requesting a free information packet from schools in your area by following the links below.
Online Colleges Offering Classes in WV
Kaplan University University of Phoenix Capella University
Interested in a criminal justice career in West Virginia? Take a look at some of the best crime-fighting jobs in the state.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
National Employment: 13,140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $42.13
National Mean Annual Wage: $87,620
West Virginia Employment: N/A
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $50.23
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $104,480
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
National Employment: 8,110
National Mean Hourly Wage: $30.41
National Mean Annual Wage: $63,250
West Virginia Employment: 100
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $22.17
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $46,120
Bailiffs
National Employment: 17,140
National Mean Hourly Wage: $19.35
National Mean Annual Wage: $40,240
West Virginia Employment: 110
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $14.23
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $29,590
Court Reporters
National Employment: 3,172,420
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.07
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,740
West Virginia Employment: 70
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $22.92
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $47,670
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
National Employment: 110,380
National Mean Hourly Wage: $31.66
National Mean Annual Wage: $65,860
West Virginia Employment: 380
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $23.67
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $49,220
First Line Supervisors/ Managers of Correctional Officers
National Employment: 45,540
National Mean Hourly Wage: $28.76
National Mean Annual Wage: $59,810
West Virginia Employment: 90
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: N/A
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: N/A
First Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives
National Employment: 99,900
National Mean Hourly Wage: $37.78
National Mean Annual Wage: $78,580
West Virginia Employment: N/A
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $29.12
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $60,580
Fish and Game Wardens
National Employment: 7,530
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.42
National Mean Annual Wage: $54,950
West Virginia Employment: 100
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $19.40
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $40,350
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
National Employment: 26,350
National Mean Hourly Wage: $49.99
National Mean Annual Wage: $103,990
West Virginia Employment: 390
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $30.27
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $62,970
Law Clerks
National Employment: 32,630
National Mean Hourly Wage: $20.17
National Mean Annual Wage: $41,960
West Virginia Employment: N/A
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $11.65
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $24,230
Lawyers
National Employment: 556,790
National Mean Hourly Wage: $62.03
National Mean Annual Wage: $129,020
West Virginia Employment: 2,070
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $41.28
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $85,870
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
National Employment: 246,810
National Mean Hourly Wage: $24.08
National Mean Annual Wage: $50,080
West Virginia Employment: 2,370
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $17.32
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $36,020
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
National Employment: 641,590
National Mean Hourly Wage: $26.53
National Mean Annual Wage: $55,180
West Virginia Employment: 3,080
West Virginia Hourly Mean Wage: $16.84
West Virginia Annual Mean Wage: $35,030
Data Source: http://www.bls.gov/oes
