Law enforcement is possibly the most noble, virtuous, and selfless profession you can choose. Police officers, detectives, safety professionals, and emergency responders play a critical role in our society. With one of the cheapest online law enforcement degree programs, graduates can join law enforcement agencies to help serve and protect their communities.
After graduation, you can enjoy a steady career in the law enforcement sector. Pay can be strong, and the overall benefits, such as insurance, can be outstanding.
We have identified 37 online bachelor degrees from 13 institutions. These degrees come in a variety of forms, with prices ranging from less than $13,000 to over $117,000.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost: $43,900
Least Expensive (In-State): State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota – $12,874
Least Expensive (Nationwide): SUNY College of Technology at Canton – $33,920
13 Cheapest Online Law Enforcement Degree Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | (FL) | $12,874.00 $49,716.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Florida SouthWestern State College | (FL) | $14,104.00 $73,438.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Miami Dade College | (FL) | $15,227.00 $63,956.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | St. Petersburg College | (FL) | $15,868.00 $50,562.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | (OK) | $20,110.00 $49,036.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
6 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton | (NY) | $28,280.00 $33,920.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $28,610.00 $90,836.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Central State University | (OH) | $31,336.00 $39,336.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Hampton University | (VA) | $38,000.00 | All Students |
10 |  University of West Alabama | (AL) | $39,555.00 | All Students |
11 |  Southern New Hampshire University | (NH) | $39,600.00 $27,720.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
12 | University of Maryland Global Campus | (MD) | $40,010.00 $61,730.00 $30,050.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
13 | Charter Oak State College | (CT) | $41,920.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Union Commonwealth University | (KY) | $44,400.00 | All Students | |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $45,000.00 $23,040.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $47,054.00 $72,854.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Middle Tennessee State University | (TN) | $47,520.00 $67,560.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Franklin University | (OH) | $47,825.00 $30,065.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | (IL) | $48,228.00 | All Students | |
Bay Path University | (MA) | $49,200.00 $42,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Liberty University | (VA) | $49,292.00 $30,100.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Western Illinois University | (IL) | $51,391.00 | 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 | |
Regent University | (VA) | $53,000.00 | All Students | |
Truett McConnell University | (GA) | $54,315.00 | All Students | |
Baker College | (MI) | $54,800.00 $32,600.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $56,669.00 $32,613.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $64,736.00 $74,556.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Providence | (MT) | $117,450.00 $30,090.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
Methodology for These Rankings of the Cheapest Online Law Enforcement Degree Programs
These rankings of online law enforcement bachelor’s programs are based on our spring 2024 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost, 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 program. Profiles for the same online bachelor degrees 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 bachelor degree program, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, 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 law enforcement degree program.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online law enforcement degree program. We do not include online degree programs from non-accredited, nationally accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the online law enforcement program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
Why Choose One of the Cheapest Online Law Enforcement Degree Programs?
While important, law enforcement can be challenging, frustrating, and often under appreciated. Why should you enroll at the best colleges for law enforcement, especially considering that a bachelor’s degree is not needed to become a police officer?
Whether you are already in law enforcement or want to start your journey, here are some of the top reasons to enroll in one of these online bachelor programs:
- Education leads to promotion: While a college degree is not required to become a police officer, it can lead to promotion and leadership positions. For higher-ranking officers, such as lieutenant, a bachelor’s degree is important.
- Become a more effective officer: There is evidence that a bachelor’s degree makes for a more effective officer. One study, conducted through California State University – Fullerton’s Center for Public Policy and the Police Foundation found that police officers with bachelor’s degrees had fewer injuries and liability cases.
- Help people in need: Most of all, these online bachelor degrees make you better at helping others. Police and law enforcement professionals serve in some of the most important roles in our society, helping to keep groups safe while protecting property. Saving lives every day — that’s probably the best reason to complete an online law enforcement degree.
Law Enforcement: Program Cost
These online bachelor programs can be surprisingly affordable. But they can also become overwhelmingly expensive. That’s why you need reliable pricing information, which is what you’ll find in this database.
The cheapest online law enforcement degree comes from the State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota, which offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety & Emergency Management for an estimated in-state cost of $12,874. However, non-Florida residents pay nearly $50,000, about $2,000 more than the database average, for this online bachelor’s program.
The average price for online bachelor degrees in this database is $49,200. Since most bachelor degrees require about four years of study, the typical student can expect to pay around $12,300 a year, on average, to complete these programs.
While this is not the largest ranking database on our website, there are plenty of affordable options. Overall, 11 online bachelor programs cost less than $40,000 total (in-state), which means less than $10,000 annually. Seven of these programs cost less than $30,000 in total, creating even greater affordability.
But there are high-priced law enforcement programs as well. The most expensive is the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, available in Law Enforcement and Resource Enforcement concentrations, from the University of Providence. This online bachelor degree has an estimated cost of $117,450.
Generally speaking, the most affordable law enforcement bachelor degree online will come from a public school in your own state. But with this database, you’ll get reliable information on both in- and out-of-state costs so that you can make an informed decision about the best online bachelor program for you.
The Best Colleges for Law Enforcement: The Most Affordable Schools
While there are numerous options for online bachelor degrees with total costs below the database average, these are the three schools that offer the cheapest online law enforcement degree programs, especially for in-state residents:
#1. State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety & Emergency Management
Cost: $12,874 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Residents of Florida can enroll in this online bachelor’s program and enjoy a low cost. This is the only program in our database below $13,000. The out-of-state cost for online students is $49,716, however, which is roughly $6,000 more than the database average.
This online bachelor’s program provides students with advanced knowledge in law enforcement, criminal law, criminal justice, paralegal studies, fire science, and emergency medical services. It can lead to work in various areas, including security for public services and private companies. This distance education program goes far beyond the basics of law enforcement. Issues addressed in this program encompass safety action plans, coordinating government budgets, and day-to-day safety operations. All these subjects come together to create well-rounded safety and emergency-response experts.
#2. Florida SouthWestern State College
Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration
Cost: $14,104 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
With a cost of just over $14,000 for in-state students, this is the second-most affordable program in this database. However, out-of-state online students pay an estimated cost of $73,438 for this online bachelor’s, a difference of roughly $59,000.
This program is specially designed to create leaders and supervisors in public safety and criminal justice administration. Students complete a rich academic experience that encompasses criminal law and law enforcement issues valuable in police administration. Graduates also have knowledge in corrections, fire science, medical services, and security.
Florida SouthWestern State College has a large selection of online programs that give students flexible learning options to fit a busy schedule.
#3. Miami Dade College
Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management
Cost: $15,227 (In-state, Florida)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The state of Florida dominates these rankings. The four cheapest online law enforcement degrees come from institutions based in Florida, including Miami Dade College, which offers the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management for just over $15,000 for in-state students. This is the third most affordable online law enforcement administration degree in our database.
While the cost is low for this online bachelor’s, the quality of education is high. Students learn workforce-driven skills that lead to immediate employment in public safety and police administration. The curriculum, while rooted in safety and emergency management, develops critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Graduates of this program can pursue a variety of leadership roles in organizations such as the FBI, CIA, ICE, and U.S. Marshals Service.
Law Enforcement: Degree Types
All of these online programs focus on public safety administration, law enforcement, and criminal justice. However, there are various types and numerous concentrations that impact what you learn and what jobs are available after graduation:
Bachelor of Applied Science
A bachelor of applied science is a skills-specific degree. These programs are best for people who want to transition directly into the workforce, and they are often structured for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. Many of these programs are exclusively for transfer students who have already completed an associate degree.
Examples:
- St. Petersburg College – Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration
- Miami Dade College – Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management
Bachelor of Science
These programs center on the science and research involved in law enforcement and criminal justice administration. They train students in provable data and research methods, helping graduates take an informed, data-driven approach to public safety and law enforcement.
Examples:
- Central State University – Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement
- University of West Alabama – Bachelor of Science in Public Safety
Bachelor of Arts
These programs are more theoretical and philosophical. In public safety and law enforcement programs, they may include the history and theoretical background of law enforcement and the justice system. They may also include literature, theory, and criminal justice ethics. These are usually the broadest of all programs.
Examples:
- Wayland Baptist University – Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement
- University of Colorado - Colorado Springs – Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Technology
As the name suggests, these programs emphasize the technology of law enforcement and public safety. Topics may include using technology to spread emergency information or to oversee law enforcement personnel.
Examples:
- Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City – Bachelor of Technology in Public Safety Management
- SUNY College of Technology at Canton – Bachelor of Technology in Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement Leadership
Concentrations
In addition to the type of degree, you may consider a variety of concentrations to focus on one area of the criminal justice field:
- Safety administration
- Public safety
- Law enforcement leadership
- Corrections
- Resource enforcement
As you can see, there are many program types to consider before enrolling in one of these programs.
Accreditation for these Programs
An accredited institution is a college or university that has been assessed by an independent organization that uses a specific process to verify a school’s overall quality and consistency. These accrediting bodies review a school for program coursework, faculty experience, graduate success, and other factors.
Accreditation matters to schools and students. From a student’s perspective, accreditation not only increases the chances of receiving a quality education, it also gives greater significance to the degree. Law enforcement agencies can look at the accredited degree and know that the graduate completed a rigorous academic process.
Schools receive accreditation from regional groups that cover large sections of the country. These groups include the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
There is also a form known as “programmatic,” which covers only the academic program. However, there are few accrediting bodies for law enforcement and public safety degrees.
Lack of programmatic accreditation is NOT a sign of low quality. As long as the program comes from an accredited school (all programs in this database do), it will deliver an excellent education.
Typical Admission Requirements for Law Enforcement Bachelor Programs
The basic requirement for these distance education programs is a high school diploma. However, some bachelor of applied science programs require an associate degree or transfer credits from a regionally accredited college or university.
Certain schools may have GPA requirements, although there are plenty of programs that allow entry regardless of previous grades. For example, the University of Maryland Global Campus says that “if you have a U.S. high school diploma or GED, or you graduated from a U.S. college or university, you qualify for undergraduate admission at University of Maryland Global Campus, at the bachelor’s degree or undergraduate certificate level.”
To enroll in one of these programs, you need to complete an application and submit all appropriate documents. These may include high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Required documents vary depending on the school.
Licensing, Training, and Experience Required to Work in the Criminal Justice System
If you choose to work in the criminal justice system, you may need specific training, experience, and a license. Law enforcement officers, for instance, need academy training. This training includes classroom instruction in federal, state, and local laws, as well as police ethics and constitutional law. Physical conditioning, strength, and firearms training are also part of the academy process.
Many criminal justice system positions require professional experience. Emergency management directors, for example, need about five years of experience. They may work as police officers, fire responders, and ambulance dispatchers before moving into director and management roles in the criminal justice system.
Police and Law Enforcement: Career Outlook
People don’t enter the criminal justice field strictly for the money. To excel in the criminal justice system, you need a deeply-rooted passion for helping others. But there is still a potential for strong, even lucrative incomes.
Here is the career data for some top positions in law enforcement, safety, legal, and related professions in the justice system:
Occupation | Expected Growth (2022-2032) | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | 8% | $135,740 |
| Information Security Analysts | 32% | $112,000 |
| Emergency Management Directors | 3% | $79,180 |
| Police and Detectives | 3% | $69,160 |
| Probation Officers | 3% | $59,860 |
| Correctional Officers | -7% | $49,610 |
| All Occupations | 3% | $46,310 |
Police and detectives have strong incomes compared to the overall population. The median salary for these professionals is $69,160, roughly $23,000 more per year than the national median. Also, the top 10% earn over $109,000, so there is plenty of room for high earnings.
Most careers in law enforcement will see similar growth compared to the overall job market. Police and detectives will grow by 3%, the same rate as the entire American job pool. But, interestingly, the number of jobs for correctional officers will shrink by 7%. This reduction is expected because of lower incarceration rates and prison populations. So one could argue that this reduction is a positive outcome.
Overall, law enforcement is a steady profession with strong salaries. In addition, many in this line of work enjoy excellent benefits, such as life, medical, disability, and other well-earned advantages that come from a life of service.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Law Enforcement Degree Program?
There are many degrees from the best colleges for law enforcement. Choosing the right one can be difficult, but it’s far from impossible.
Start by searching for degrees from accredited institutions. As we have noted, accreditation is a sign of academic quality, giving greater respectability and authority to your education and degree.
In addition, always research program cost before enrolling. This ranking is a useful resource, as you can quickly scan the programs for estimated costs.
While these programs are at least 80% online, they have different delivery formats, structures, and schedules. Research the program’s overall structure to ensure it matches your needs.
With resources and information from GetEducated.com, you’ll be on your way to a world-class online law enforcement degree from a leading institution in no time.