Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
The most affordable online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice allows you to earn your criminal justice degree in a convenient, cost-effective way.
When choosing a school, be sure to take into account all relevant costs, including tuition, fees, books, and program length.
You’ll also want to consider how you can pay for your bachelor’s in criminal justice online and the popular careers you can pursue afterward, from private investigator to forensic science technician.
10 Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $442
Out-of-State | $260
Credits to Graduate: 120
In UVU's online criminal justice program, you'll study criminal law, victimization, corrections, and police-community relations. Online students can benefit from support resources like tutorials and online academic advising.
You must submit your high school transcripts to apply to the program. UVU also recommends that you submit your ACT or SAT scores to see if you qualify for any merit-based scholarships.
- In-State$5,192
- Out-of-state$16,092
- In-State$8,541
- Out-of-state$25,977
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled40,936
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
Excelsior College
- Albany, NY
- 4 year
- Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $510
Credits to Graduate: 120
Excelsior's BS in criminal justice program examines crime-fighting, policing, and legal processes. You'll also learn how to manage criminal justice agencies. The program offers a homeland security concentration for those pursuing national security roles.
To apply, you'll need information about any colleges you've attended, plus any exams, training, or certification programs that could apply toward your degree.
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled21,974
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Colorado State University-Global Campus
- Aurora, CO
- 4 year
- Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $350
Credits to Graduate: 120
CSU-Global's online bachelor's in criminal justice program uses an asynchronous format so that you can complete coursework at any time and from any place.
As a criminal justice major, you'll study law enforcement and the legal system. You'll then graduate with the skills needed to work in federal law enforcement, corrections, or security.
The online admission requirements include high school transcripts and two years of work experience. Transfer students with at least 24 credits do not need to submit high school transcripts.
- In-State$8,400
- Out-of-state$8,400
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$9,000
- Retention Rate47%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled12,578
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
- Fayette, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $270
Credits to Graduate: 120
At CMU, criminal justice majors explore investigation methods, criminal behavior, and social deviance. In the online criminal justice program, you'll build hands-on skills while studying the legal system and law enforcement.
Choose between a BA and a BS for your criminal justice degree. CMU offers unconditional admission to applicants who have a minimum 2.5 GPA and qualifying ACT or SAT scores, as well as to those who have a minimum 2.75 GPA with specific high school courses.
- In-State$5,950
- Out-of-state$5,950
- In-State$6,075
- Out-of-state$6,075
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled3,429
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $641
Credits to Graduate: 120
Examine the socioeconomic and psychological dimensions of crime as a criminal justice major at ASU. This online criminology and criminal justice program emphasizes crime prevention and response. You'll learn from experienced research faculty and criminal justice professionals. ASU also encourages distance learners to complete an internship.
You'll need to meet all admission requirements for first-year or transfer students, depending on your student status. ASU also offers a pathway for Arizona transfer students.
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$10,820
- In-State$6,516
- Out-of-state$6,516
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled53,993
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Highlands College
- Rome, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $199
Credits to Graduate: 120
Earn your criminal justice degree in an affordable, flexible format with GHC's online bachelor's in criminal justice program. The school charges less than $200 per credit in tuition and includes support from student success coaches. You can also transfer credits from a peace officer standards and training program toward your degree.
Apply to the program by submitting an online application and official transcripts. Applicants with a minimum 2.0 GPA do not need to submit test scores.
- In-State$2,280
- Out-of-state$8,632
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,680
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
- Denver, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $465
Out-of-State | $558
Credits to Graduate: 120
CU Denver offers three tracks to specialize your online criminal justice degree: general track, law enforcement, and victim services. In all tracks, you'll examine the criminal justice system while strengthening your critical thinking and analytical skills. CU Denver also offers scholarships to qualifying students.
The program sets different admission requirements based on your prior college experience. You can contact the university's online enrollment team for more info on specific admission requirements and deadlines.
- In-State$7,920
- Out-of-state$24,408
- In-State$6,786
- Out-of-state$22,590
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled24,723
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
Charter Oak State College
- New Britain, CT
- 4 year
- Online
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $319
Out-of-State | $419
Credits to Graduate: 120
Connecticut's Charter Oak State College offers an affordable online criminal justice degree with an interdisciplinary curriculum. Courses cover criminology, behavioral science, and criminal justice ethics. In addition to the general criminal justice option, you can specialize in victim advocacy.
Apply to the program online by submitting transcripts and test scores. The program offers six start dates each year. What's more, the school's in-state tuition discount extends to residents from New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
- In-State$7,656
- Out-of-state$10,056
- In-State$9,288
- Out-of-state$9,720
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,634
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Dalton State College
- Dalton, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit: $107
Credits to Graduate: 120
A public college in Georgia, Dalton State offers low tuition rates. You can earn a bachelor's in criminal justice degree online for around just $100 per credit, even as a fully online out-of-state student.
In this program, you'll study corrections, law enforcement, and juvenile justice. The curriculum builds analytical, research, and communication skills. You can also choose a concentration in law enforcement or social justice.
Submit an application online and provide transcripts to enroll. Dalton State has test-optional admissions, so you don't need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- In-State$2,563
- Out-of-state$9,469
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled4,794
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana University-East
- Richmond, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $239
Out-of-State | $347
Credits to Graduate: 120
Explore the causes and prevention of crime through IUE's online criminal justice degree. This program takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on legal studies, sociology, political science, and other fields. You'll learn about the courts, public policy, policing, and corrections. You can even customize your major with nine credits of criminal justice electives.
To apply, submit transcripts and an application. IUE offers scholarships for online students, including transfer scholarships. You can qualify for multiple scholarships with a single application.
- In-State$7,067
- Out-of-state$19,926
- In-State$7,482
- Out-of-state$17,627
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled3,434
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice: Program Expectations
A bachelor’s in criminal justice provides a general overview of the criminal justice system. The program also prepares you for careers in areas like policing, corrections, security, and forensic investigation.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect in a criminal justice bachelor’s program:
- It takes an average of four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
- Criminal justice coursework focuses on topics like the justice system, criminal law, policing, and correctional services.
- Tuition and fees can vary widely depending on the school and program length.
While criminal justice programs can vary, coursework typically includes fundamentals of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal investigations.
You’ll study law, psychology, and sociology while honing your critical thinking, analytical, and research skills.
Additionally, some online criminal justice bachelor’s degrees provide opportunities to take specialized coursework.
Common Concentrations in a Criminal Justice Degree
Here are some of the most common concentrations you can pursue in a criminal justice degree program:
- Criminal Forensics: This concentration emphasizes crime, criminal behavior, and forensic investigations. Forensic concentrations often include coursework in chemistry and information technology.
- Juvenile Justice: Juvenile justice coursework focuses on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation for youth offenders. You’ll learn about laws and policies that apply to juveniles and the psychology of juvenile behavior.
- Homeland Security: This concentration emphasizes theories and practices of preventing, detecting, and managing national security threats. Coursework includes border safety, transportation security, and infrastructure protection.
- Administration: Criminal justice administration coursework emphasizes function and leadership in the criminal justice field. You’ll study interagency communication, court systems and processes, and politics and government.
Funding Your Degree in Criminal Justice
You have many options when it comes to funding your online criminal justice degree.
You can start your financial aid journey by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submitting the FAFSA may let you qualify for student loans and can lead to additional funding opportunities like scholarships and work-study. Members of specific communities may have even more financial aid options.
Military service personnel and veterans can apply for additional aid, along with members of specific communities. Women, students of color, and learners in certain disciplines can pursue private scholarships to help pay for college as well. Additionally, some scholarships are awarded based on academic merit.
Here are some examples of popular criminal justice scholarships you can apply for.
Women in Federal Law Enforcement Annual Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,500
The WIFLE Scholarship supports students majoring in criminal justice and related fields. To be eligible, you must enroll full time, earn a minimum 3.0 GPA, and submit an essay and letter of support.
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Scholarship
Award Amount: $1,000-$2,500
Through the NOBLE Awards program, you can apply for several scholarships, including national scholarships and local chapter scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at NOBLE’s Annual Training Conference.
Brian Terry Scholar Program
Award Amount: Full Tuition, Books, and Living Expenses
To become a Brian Terry Scholar, you must make a positive impact on your community, demonstrate a commitment to criminal justice, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The application requires two letters of recommendation, an essay, and transcripts.
Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship
Award Amount: $500
Honoring its namesake, the Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship supports students pursuing careers in criminal justice. To apply, you must submit an essay and transcripts and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Popular Careers in Criminal Justice
The versatility of a criminal justice degree can lead to many career opportunities. You can pursue entry-level roles like police officer, corrections specialist, and criminal investigator.
Some positions for criminal justice graduates may require additional certification, training, or licensure. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can also lead to continued criminal justice study at the master’s and doctoral levels.
Salaries for those professionals with criminal justice degrees< vary by position, location, and experience.
Two common roles for criminal justice grads are probation officers and police officers. Both jobs have modest employment projections for 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Emergency management directors, who must possess advanced degrees, rank among the top-paying positions for criminal justice professionals.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Directors | $86,130 | 4% |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $67,440 | 13% |
| Police and Detectives | $77,270 | 4% |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,370 | 5% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $64,520 | 4% |
Source: BLS
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Degrees
Is an online criminal justice degree more affordable than an in-person degree?
An online criminal justice degree program can cost the same as an on-campus program. If you want to save on your degree, choose a public in-state college or university instead of a private or out-of-state school.
To determine the total cost of your program, consider everything — tuition, fees, books, and so on.
Online students can benefit from not having to pay for transportation to and from campus or on-campus housing.
What’s the highest-paying job in criminal justice?
Emergency management director is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree. This job currently boasts a median annual salary of $86,130, according to the BLS.
Other well-paying criminal justice jobs include forensic science technician, police officer, and detective.
Most criminal justice jobs offer opportunities for advancement, which can increase your earnings as you progress in your career.
Is a criminal justice degree worth it?
A criminal justice degree can be worth it if you’re passionate about serving and protecting your community, helping victims, and ensuring justice.
What’s more, criminal justice jobs will always experience some demand. For example, jobs for forensic science technicians are projected to grow by 13% between 2023-2033, according to the BLS.
