The GetEducated.com editorial team has released their first national affordability rankings of universities that offer online bachelor degrees in the criminal justice career area. The university rankings are based on a survey of 35 regionally accredited universities that offer distance bachelor degrees in justice, law, and legal studies career areas.

Western Carolina University of North Carolina ranks first among the Top 10 Best Buys for their distance bachelor's in criminal justice. Online learners who are North Carolina residents will pay a remarkably low rate of just over $9,000 for the distance degree. By comparison, the average cost for a distance bachelor's in this career area came in at about $38,000.

Fort Hays State College (Kansas) ranked #2 for its online bachelor of science in justice studies at a flat rate of $16,380 for learners regardless of their state of residency. Troy University (Alabama) ranked third for its bachelor's in criminal justice at just over $20,000 for learners regardless of their state of residency. By comparison, the average cost for a distance bachelor's in the justice area came in at just above $38,000. Among the most expensive distance degrees for justice professionals: Mercy University of New York ($71,400) and the University of Phoenix Online ($59,280).

This is the first time Western Carolina has been ranked as a Best Buy choice by analysts at GetEducated.com. Fort Hays is a multiple award winner having received Best Buy designations for their distance degrees in business administration (MBA) and the bachelor's in business in previous GetEducated.com surveys. Troy is also a multiple winner having received Best Buy designations for their bachelors in sociology and their master's in business, education, and criminal justice.

"Hundreds of colleges now offer online degrees," comments GetEducated.com's Chief analyst, Vicky Phillips, "but most public institutions charge a premium to out of state applicants. What's laudable about Fort Hays and Troy is that their online colleges charge a flat rate tuition, making elearning a reasonable alternative, indeed a bargain, for residents across the USA. These public colleges are seriously dedicated to making education more accessible to all Americans. Fort Hays and Troy are true bargains in American higher education."

DiplomasAndMore and DocumentProfessionals, websites that sold fake degrees from notable institutions, such as Indiana University, have been closed by Indiana's Attroney General, Steve Carter. How do you tell a fake Indiana University degree from a real one? The fraudulent ones cost only a few hundred dollars and misidentify Indiana's top tier B- School, the Kelley School of Business as the "Kelly School." The Kelley School, which offers a top tier AACSB-accredited distance MBA, is an annual sponsor of GetEducated.com's efforts to profile high quality distance degrees. Avoid online degree scams: consult GetEducated.com's FREE online college verification service, The Diploma Mill Police (SM) to verify the authenticity of every elearning institute before you enroll.

An article in the current issue of the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration suggests faculty have clear if not always rational reasons for refusing to port their knowledge online. The majority of the faculty at one small, private liberal arts college surveyed consistently feared distance education would be a lot of work. This finding is termed the "hassle factor." Younger faculty members are more motivated by financial incentives and may be willing to pioneer distance education courses if offered additional incentives. Faculty young and old fear their role as teachers will be diminished as the role of technology increases.

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