If you are looking for the cheapest online criminal justice bachelor degree, start your search with our helpful and time-saving database. With nearly 300 options, you’ll find criminal justice degrees that specialize in public safety, justice studies, homeland security, paralegal studies, police administration, and more. There are numerous online bachelor program options to build your career in criminal justice, and you can quickly review programs for both in- and out-of-state costs.
These online bachelor degrees lead to rewarding careers in juvenile justice, law enforcement, criminal law, and public policy. Online students can use these criminal justice degrees to directly find work with law enforcement agencies or transition into law school, a police academy, or an IT program, among many other options.
We have compiled 288 online programs from 215 accredited institutions, giving online students a wide range of options for their education. With so many programs, you’ll find numerous online criminal justice degree programs to fit your precise skills, interests, and career goals. You’ll also find a huge range of prices.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost: $50,600
Least Expensive (In-State): Polk State College – $14,167
Least Expensive (Nationwide): Albany State University – $16,777
The 112 Cheapest Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Polk State College | (FL) | $14,167.00 $52,726.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Indian River State College | (FL) | $14,456.00 $48,629.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Albany State University | (GA) | $16,777.00 | All Students |
4 | Sterling College | (KS) | $19,280.00 | All Students |
5 | Georgia Southwestern State University | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
5 | Georgia Highlands College | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
5 | Gordon State College | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
5 | University of West Georgia | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
5 | Atlanta Metropolitan State College | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
5 | East Georgia State College | (GA) | $21,480.00 | All Students |
11 | Middle Georgia State University | (GA) | $21,505.00 | All Students |
12 | North Carolina Central University | (NC) | $22,140.00 $87,320.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Georgia Southern University | (GA) | $22,196.00 | All Students |
14 | Kennesaw State University | (GA) | $22,688.00 | All Students |
15 | Columbus State University | (GA) | $23,024.00 $78,296.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | Fort Valley State University | (GA) | $23,038.00 | All Students |
17 | Utah Valley University | (UT) | $25,080.00 $31,200.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Florida International University | (FL) | $25,498.00 $75,094.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
19 | Weber State University | (UT) | $25,563.00 $34,920.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
20 | University of West Florida | (FL) | $26,278.00 $77,804.00 $26,278.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
21 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $26,400.00 | All Students |
22 | Ohio Christian University | (OH) | $27,500.00 $17,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
23 | University of the Virgin Islands | () | $27,960.00 $56,520.00 $27,960.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
24 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton | (NY) | $28,280.00 $33,920.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Cameron University | (OK) | $28,520.00 $67,456.00 $28,520.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
26 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $28,610.00 $90,836.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
27 | Eastern New Mexico University | (NM) | $29,087.00 $37,007.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
28 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $29,131.00 | All Students |
29 | Empire State University | (NY) | $30,520.00 $36,160.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
30 | North Greenville University | (SC) | $31,035.00 | All Students |
31 | Central State University | (OH) | $31,336.00 $39,336.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
32 | Athens State University | (AL) | $31,840.00 | All Students |
33 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | (WI) | $32,725.00 | All Students |
34 | Georgia Military College | (GA) | $33,304.00 | All Students |
35 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $34,476.00 | All Students |
36 | Central Methodist University | (MO) | $34,875.00 | All Students |
37 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | (AR) | $35,040.00 $26,400.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
38 | University of Houston-Victoria | (TX) | $35,068.00 $85,468.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
39 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $35,430.00 $77,910.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
40 | Trine University | (IN) | $35,880.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
40 | Valdosta State University | (GA) | $35,880.00 | All Students |
42 | Shawnee State University | (OH) | $35,968.00 $39,676.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
43 | Northeastern State University | (OK) | $36,016.00 $73,712.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
44 | University of Maine at Augusta | (ME) | $36,209.00 $45,526.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
45 | Stillman College | (AL) | $36,656.00 | All Students |
46 | Peru State College | (NE) | $37,080.00 | All Students |
47 | Wayne State College | (NE) | $37,175.00 | All Students |
48 | Lamar University | (TX) | $37,680.00 | All Students |
49 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $37,944.00 | All Students |
50 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $37,980.00 | All Students |
51 | Hampton University | (VA) | $38,000.00 | All Students |
52 | Angelo State University | (TX) | $38,124.00 $88,524.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
53 | University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $38,416.00 $46,216.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
54 | University of Central Missouri | (MO) | $38,940.00 $35,640.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
55 | Ball State University | (IN) | $38,952.00 $65,952.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
56 | Louisiana State University-Alexandria | (LA) | $39,000.00 | All Students |
57 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $39,062.00 $56,102.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
58 | Amridge University | (AL) | $39,160.00 $33,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
59 | Austin Peay State University | (TN) | $39,240.00 $66,762.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
60 | West Texas A & M University | (TX) | $39,267.00 $91,150.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
61 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $39,600.00 $27,720.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
62 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $40,010.00 $61,730.00 $30,050.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
63 | Southwestern College - Kansas | (KS) | $40,300.00 $31,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
64 |  East Central University | (OK) | $40,615.00 $79,923.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
65 | Missouri State University | (MO) | $40,752.00 | All Students |
66 | University of North Alabama | (AL) | $40,800.00 | All Students |
67 |  King University | (TN) | $41,045.00 $34,225.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
68 | Georgia State University | (GA) | $41,072.00 $117,224.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
69 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $41,085.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
70 | Glenville State University | (WV) | $41,192.00 $37,678.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
71 | Montana State University-Northern | (MT) | $41,635.00 $111,439.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
72 | Drury University | (MO) | $41,706.00 | All Students |
73 | Charter Oak State College | (CT) | $41,920.00 | All Students |
74 | Colorado State University-Global Campus | (CO) | $42,000.00 $37,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
75 | Bethel University - TN | (TN) | $42,050.00 $33,650.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
76 | William Peace University | (NC) | $42,360.00 | All Students |
77 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $42,570.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
78 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | (AK) | $43,200.00 | All Students |
79 | West Virginia State University | (WV) | $43,376.00 | All Students |
80 | Western New Mexico University | (NM) | $43,538.00 $53,358.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
81 | Missouri Western State University | (MO) | $43,660.00 $77,740.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
82 | Spartanburg Methodist College | (SC) | $43,800.00 | All Students |
83 | McMurry University | (TX) | $44,400.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
84 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $45,000.00 $23,040.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
84 | New England College | (NH) | $45,000.00 | All Students |
86 | Northern State University | (SD) | $45,114.00 $32,544.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
87 | University of North Texas | (TX) | $45,142.00 $56,721.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
88 | Lynn University | (FL) | $45,200.00 | All Students |
89 | Washington State University | (WA) | $45,396.00 $50,608.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
90 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | (WI) | $45,618.00 | All Students |
91 | Jackson State University | (MS) | $46,394.00 | All Students |
92 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell | (MA) | $46,440.00 | All Students |
93 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $47,054.00 $72,854.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
94 | Shorter University | (GA) | $47,320.00 | All Students |
95 | LeTourneau University | (TX) | $47,500.00 | All Students |
96 | Middle Tennessee State University | (TN) | $47,520.00 $67,560.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
96 | Bluefield University Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice 14 | (VA) | $47,520.00 | All Students |
98 | Franklin University | (OH) | $47,825.00 $30,065.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
99 | Toccoa Falls College | (GA) | $47,900.00 | All Students |
100 | Indiana Institute of Technology | (IN) | $47,955.00 | All Students |
101 | The University of Alabama | (AL) | $48,000.00 | All Students |
101 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $48,000.00 | All Students |
103 | Franklin Pierce University | (NH) | $48,100.00 | All Students |
104 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | (IL) | $48,228.00 | All Students |
105 | Vermont State University | (VT) | $48,360.00 | All Students |
106 | Troy University | (AL) | $48,960.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
107 | Liberty University | (VA) | $49,292.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
108 | Wilmington University | (DE) | $49,420.00 $30,340.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
109 | Columbia College - SC | (SC) | $50,400.00 | All Students |
109 | The University of Texas at El Paso | (TX) | $50,400.00 $64,800.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
109 |  Concordia University-Saint Paul | (MN) | $50,400.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
112 | Thomas Edison State University | (NJ) | $50,578.00 $65,698.00 $30,298.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Southeastern University | (FL) | $50,640.00 | All Students | |
Old Dominion University | (VA) | $50,864.00 $54,824.00 $33,704.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military | |
 Campbellsville University | (KY) | $50,880.00 | All Students | |
Saint Leo University | (FL) | $50,940.00 $31,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Cairn University | (PA) | $51,000.00 | All Students | |
Virginia Wesleyan University | (VA) | $51,072.00 | All Students | |
Point University | (GA) | $51,200.00 | All Students | |
University of Missouri-Kansas City | (MO) | $51,252.00 $123,252.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Culver-Stockton College | (MO) | $51,400.00 | All Students | |
University of Toledo | (OH) | $51,517.00 $51,557.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Kentucky State University | (KY) | $51,648.00 | All Students | |
University of Memphis | (TN) | $51,720.00 | All Students | |
 Anna Maria College | (MA) | $51,766.00 | All Students | |
The University of Tennessee - Martin | (TN) | $52,080.00 $56,640.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Eastern Kentucky University | (KY) | $52,080.00 | All Students | |
Abilene Christian University | (TX) | $52,200.00 | All Students | |
Southern University and A & M College | (LA) | $52,240.00 | All Students | |
Ashland University | (OH) | $52,680.00 | All Students | |
Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $52,710.00 $41,550.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Endicott College | (MA) | $52,816.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $53,000.00 | All Students | |
Truett McConnell University | (GA) | $53,073.00 | All Students | |
Midway University | (KY) | $53,080.00 | All Students | |
 Fisher College | (MA) | $53,795.00 | All Students | |
University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $53,872.00 | All Students | |
 Aurora University | (IL) | $54,000.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Methodist University | (NC) | $54,090.00 | All Students | |
Truett McConnell University | (GA) | $54,315.00 | All Students | |
Truett McConnell University | (GA) | $54,729.00 | All Students | |
University of North Dakota | (ND) | $54,757.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Baker College | (MI) | $54,800.00 $32,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $55,010.00 | All Students | |
Baker University | (KS) | $55,825.00 | All Students | |
Buena Vista University | (IA) | $55,890.00 | All Students | |
Central Christian College of Kansas | (KS) | $56,000.00 | All Students | |
Campbell University | (NC) | $56,280.00 $31,480.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Southwestern Assemblies of God University | (TX) | $56,320.00 | All Students | |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | (MA) | $56,345.00 | All Students | |
Greenville University | (IL) | $56,400.00 | All Students | |
Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $56,669.00 $32,613.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor | (WI) | $57,000.00 | All Students | |
Anderson University - SC | (SC) | $57,390.00 | All Students | |
Sam Houston State University | (TX) | $57,600.00 | All Students | |
Barclay College | (KS) | $57,600.00 $57,602.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Missouri-St Louis | (MO) | $57,600.00 $143,280.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Clarks Summit University (School Closed) Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 14 | (PA) | $57,835.00 $45,735.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Reinhardt University | (GA) | $57,920.00 | All Students | |
Kentucky Wesleyan College | (KY) | $57,980.00 | All Students | |
Thomas University | (GA) | $58,135.00 $31,135.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mary Baldwin University | (VA) | $58,320.00 | All Students | |
 William Carey University | (MS) | $58,600.00 $34,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Northern Kentucky University | (KY) | $58,920.00 | All Students | |
Averett University | (VA) | $58,925.00 $31,325.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Webster University | (MO) | $58,980.00 $32,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Bellevue University | (NE) | $59,123.00 $33,850.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Tiffin University | (OH) | $59,200.00 $31,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Warner University | (FL) | $59,275.00 | All Students | |
Lindenwood University | (MO) | $59,400.00 | All Students | |
Dallas Baptist University | (TX) | $59,400.00 | All Students | |
Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $59,760.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Los Angeles Pacific University | (CA) | $59,955.00 | All Students | |
University of the Incarnate Word | (TX) | $60,090.00 $30,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $60,100.00 | All Students | |
Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $60,552.00 | All Students | |
University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $61,040.00 $31,040.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Marian University | (WI) | $61,200.00 | All Students | |
Concordia University Texas | (TX) | $61,560.00 | All Students | |
University of Arizona | (AZ) | $61,824.00 | All Students | |
Trinity International University | (IL) | $62,360.00 | All Students | |
Mid-America Christian University | (OK) | $62,464.00 $56,974.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Grand View University | (IA) | $62,860.00 | All Students | |
Jessup University | (CA) | $63,000.00 | All Students | |
Madonna University | (MI) | $63,100.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $63,232.00 | All Students | |
Mercer University | (GA) | $63,600.00 | All Students | |
Point Park University | (PA) | $64,200.00 | All Students | |
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $64,736.00 $74,556.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Lakeland University | (WI) | $64,920.00 | All Students | |
University of Mary | (ND) | $65,076.00 | All Students | |
Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $65,400.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Charleston Southern University | (SC) | $65,430.00 | All Students | |
National University | (CA) | $66,600.00 | All Students | |
DeSales University | (PA) | $67,320.00 | All Students | |
California Baptist University | (CA) | $67,400.00 $33,920.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $67,710.00 | All Students | |
University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $67,850.00 $69,650.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northern Michigan University | (MI) | $68,040.00 | All Students | |
Claflin University | (SC) | $68,912.00 | All Students | |
Excelsior University | (NY) | $69,485.00 $33,485.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Park University | (MO) | $69,600.00 $31,800.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Maryville University | (MO) | $70,480.00 | All Students | |
Lackawanna College | (PA) | $71,000.00 | All Students | |
Peirce College | (PA) | $73,995.00 | All Students | |
Chaminade University of Honolulu | (HI) | $74,135.00 $33,935.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Humphreys University | (CA) | $74,210.00 | All Students | |
 Alvernia University | (PA) | $78,720.00 | All Students | |
National Louis University | (IL) | $80,025.00 | All Students | |
Dominican University - New York | (NY) | $81,850.00 | All Students | |
Roosevelt University | (IL) | $84,000.00 | All Students | |
St. Joseph's University-New York | (NY) | $88,800.00 $30,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Mississippi College | (MS) | $90,621.00 $39,637.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Providence | (MT) | $117,450.00 $30,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Hawaii Pacific University | (HI) | $131,620.00 $31,540.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Anderson University - IN | (IN) | $144,600.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $148,320.00 | All Students |
Methodology for These Rankings
These rankings of online criminal justice bachelor’s programs are based on our spring 2024 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost of these online criminal justice degree programs, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the individual online bachelor program. Profiles for the same criminal justice degree found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire online criminal justice degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits for your bachelor’s degree, your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an affordable online criminal justice degree.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible for affordable online criminal justice degrees. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. These criminal justice program rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online criminal justice administration degree. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings any criminal justice program that is available less than 80% online or only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the criminal justice degrees must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this criminal justice program have changed since publication.
Why Enroll in One of the Cheapest Online Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree Programs?
Here are a few of the top reasons students enroll in an affordable online criminal justice bachelor degree:
- Diverse options: With these criminal justice degrees, you can take your career (and education) in many directions within the criminal justice system. You can work in law enforcement, legal services, public policy, community service, consulting, and more.
- A career for good: By working in criminal justice, you are helping protect communities and keep people safe. You also provide essential services to people involved in the justice system.
- A stable career: Criminal justice may not see massive growth, but it’s a strong, stable sector that will be needed for decades into the future. With one of these degrees, you can rest easy knowing your skills will be in high demand.
- Excellent benefits: Many people working in criminal justice, law enforcement, and administration, who are often government employees, have excellent healthcare and retirement packages. The challenges within the criminal justice system are massive, but the benefits provide a strong lifestyle and a comfortable, stress-free retirement.
What is the Cost for an Online Criminal Justice Bachelor Degree?
There are nearly 300 criminal justice degrees in this database. As such, there is a vast range of prices. The most affordable online criminal justice program is just over $14,000, while the most expensive is over ten times that amount. With such a large difference, you need to know the total cost so that you don’t get sticker shock.
The average price for criminal justice degrees in this database is $50,600 for in-state tuition. This is a large sum, but most bachelor degrees take four years to complete, which means, if we assume the average price and a typical four-year plan, the annual cost is usually around $12,650. Students must also take the variables of financial aid into consideration.
Thanks to the sheer size of this database, there are 112 programs priced below the average. This includes 30 affordable online criminal justice programs below $30,000 for estimated cost.
The cheapest online criminal justice bachelor degree is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Polk State College in Florida. This program is available for just over $14,000 for Florida residents, meaning in-state online students pay around $3,500 annually.
If you don’t live in Florida, you’ll still find that many programs offer low costs on an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration. For all students regardless of state residency, the most affordable is the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Albany State University. This program costs $16,777 for all students regardless of where they live.
The range of prices can go much higher though. The least affordable online criminal justice bachelor degree in this database comes from Nova Southeastern University. This school’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice has an estimated cost of $148,320, making it one of the highest-cost online programs on our entire website.
If you need an affordable price on a world-class criminal justice degree, the best strategy is to start with in-state public schools. Out-of-state schools often (but not always) have higher tuition, and private schools typically have the largest prices, though many also offer higher levels of financial aid.
Who Offers the Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree?
With nearly 300 bachelor’s degree programs in this database, there are plenty of options for an affordable online criminal justice bachelor degree. But if you want the absolute lowest price, these criminal justice programs are your best options:
#1. Polk State College
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Cost: $14,167 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Polk State College, which has four locations in the state of Florida, offers a low-cost BS in Criminal Justice for less than $15,000 before financial aid. This price is available to Florida residents, although out-of-state students pay over $52,000 for the four-year bachelor’s degree program.
This program gives students the chance to learn about crime and practical skills in crime-control methods in an online format. It prepares them for professional careers in criminal justice and covers topics like criminology, sociology, psychology, and law. There is also coursework related to deviant behavior, criminal investigations, corrections, and the court system.
Polk State College provides an affordable and convenient learning experience. Students in online programs have access to services that include a virtual student center, advising, and career development. According to the college, 80% of Polk State students graduate with no student debt, a testament to the school’s affordable prices.
#2. Indian River State College
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Cost: $14,456 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Indian River State College (IRSC), also based in Florida, offers a low price for in-state students. With an estimated cost below $15,000, not including financial aid, this program is second on our list of affordable online criminal justice bachelor degrees. However, out-of-state students pay over $48,000.
Whether you pay in- or out-of-state tuition, you’ll receive a focused education in criminal justice and important related issues. The online classes prepare criminal justice students for a career protecting and serving the public, allowing students to become program managers, policy analysts, and law-enforcement experts.
Students with IRSC Online develop essential critical thinking skills that are critical to law enforcement. They have access to tutoring centers, free online support, and virtual assessments that make the learning experience convenient and accessible.
#3. Albany State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Cost: $16,777 (All students)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Students looking for the cheapest online criminal justice bachelor degree, regardless of their location, should consider Albany State University, an accredited institution in Georgia. This criminal justice major is available for less than $17,000, which means students from all corners of the country pay about $4,200 per year in tuition costs for access to the program.
While the cost is low, the quality is high. This program allows students to explore numerous topics related to criminal justice. They develop analytical and problem-solving skills while exploring the theoretical and historical foundations of the criminal justice system.
Students with Albany State have access to online resources that make studying criminal justice more accessible. The school is well-versed in online education and offers a variety of associate, bachelor, certificate, and master-level online degree programs.
Online Criminal Justice Administration: Program Types
These online criminal justice bachelor degree programs come in many types and, largely because of the sheer volume, criminal justice majors offer a huge variety of specializations.
The first step is to decide on a type of degree. For these criminal justice online bachelor programs, there are two basic types: a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science. While they all focus on criminal justice and justice administration for the most part, they have different focuses and can lead to different careers.
A bachelor of arts (BA) in criminal justice allows students to take more classes in liberal arts. The coursework may stray from criminal justice to include philosophy, psychology, history, and communication. These programs are best for students who want a broad liberal arts education that covers many topics in addition to the criminal justice field. They are ideal for diverse career paths in social work, criminal justice studies, and legal issues.
Meanwhile, a bachelor of science (BS) criminal justice degree offers more specific, focused studies in criminal justice, criminal law, and law enforcement administration. The courses could include investigations, forensics, juvenline justice, national or international security, and law enforcement management. These programs focus particularly on the practical and technical aspects of the criminal justice field, making them ideal for careers in law enforcement, investigations, and data analytics.
You can also select a concentration within criminal justice majors. This database includes law enforcement and crime prevention degrees with specializations in:
- Administration
- Public safety administration
- Criminology
- Crime intelligence
- Justice studies
- Justice counseling
- Homeland security
- International security
- Counterterrorism
- Police administration
- Police studies
- Criminal justice leadership
- Pre-law
- Paralegal studies
- Forensics
- Criminal psychology
- Crime scene investigation
- Juvenile justice
- Strategic intelligence
- Corrections
- Criminal justice ethics
Accreditation for Online Criminal Justice Administration Programs
Accreditation is the process of reviewing and approving schools and degrees. All the degrees in this database of online criminal justice programs come from accredited schools, meaning they have met the standards set by regional accrediting bodies, which are themselves approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Accreditation is essential for all degrees. For criminal justice careers, which often fall in the public sector (police and probation officers, for example) are public servants hired by cities, counties, and states), accreditation is an important part of the hiring process. In general, having a criminal justice degree from an accredited institution increases the legitimacy and respectability of your degree. Accreditation status is also linked to the availability of federal aid programs for students.
This database is a useful tool because all the online criminal justice programs listed come from accredited institutions.
Typical Admission Requirements for Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Programs
The admissions process for an online criminal justice degree is fairly straightforward. While each school has its own standards, the basic requirement is a high school diploma. Prospective students need to provide high school transcripts or GED scores, and some programs may also require SAT or ACT testing.
Some online criminal justice programs have minimum GPA requirements as well. For instance, the University of Florida recommends a 2.5 GPA, although prospective students with lower scores may still access the degree with specialized admissions.
Most bachelor programs have a three-part admissions process. First you’ll fill out an application. Then you will submit official high school transcripts. Finally, you will need to provide official test scores. If you have a strong academic history, you should find an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration that accepts your application.
Licensing, Training, or Experience Requirements
Criminal justice, law enforcement, and legal-based careers require education, formal training, and years working in criminal justice. Obviously much will depend on your specific career choice, such as whether you want to solve crimes, work in the juvenile justice system, or become a police officer. However, most law enforcement agencies require at least some on-the-job training and work experience after completing an online criminal justice degree.
For example, criminal justice graduates planning to work as police officers will need training from an official training academy. This training will include additional classroom learning, physical training, and also skills development like firearms and defense techniques. After they graduate from an academy, they can become licensed police officers.
Correctional and probation officers need similar training, and some criminal justice graduates may need to job-shadow experienced professionals before working on their own.
Salary and Career Information
Most people don’t enter criminal justice for the pay. Instead, they are motivated by deeper passions, including the desire to make their cities and states safer places to live. However, there is an opportunity to earn a strong income with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Here is the main job-related data from some top criminal justice, legal, security, and law-enforcement careers:
Occupation | Expected growth (2022-2032) | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | 8% | $135,740 |
| Information Security Analysts | 32% | $112,000 |
| Police and Detectives | 3% | $69,160 |
| Probation Officers | 3% | $59,860 |
| Correctional Officers | -7% | $49,610 |
| All Occupations | 3% | $46,310 |
Police officers have a median salary of $69,160, which is roughly $23,000 more than the median for all occupations. However, these critical public servants can earn even higher wages; the top 10% earn over $109,000.
One of the top occupations for pay and also expected growth is information security analyst. These professionals earn a median salary of $112,000, with the top 10% earning over $174,000 a year. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Cybercrime, for instance, could lead to this high-paying career.
Overall, criminal justice is a strong career field with the potential for steady employment and excellent incomes.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Criminal Justice Program?
Choosing the right online criminal justice degree can seem intimidating, but with the right approach you’ll find a program that fits your exact needs.
Think about your goals, skills, and interests. You may be more interested in cybersecurity or justice reform. You may be better suited to rehabilitation services. Or you may have the thinking and organizational skills to become a top-paid attorney. All of these are possible with an online criminal justice bachelor degree, but certain types and concentrations are better for certain careers.
Using this database, you can search through the cheapest online criminal justice bachelor degree programs from accredited colleges and universities. You’ll find clear, reliable data, allowing you to make the best choice for your future. With GetEducated.com, you’ll be on your way to a world-class career in criminal justice!