2026 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degrees
Discover top-ranked, budget-friendly online bachelor's programs in criminal justice, with rankings based on verified tuition rates.
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Find the cheapest online criminal justice degree from our list of accredited schools below.
Key Takeaways:
- The top two schools are Western Carolina University and University of North Texas, which come in at just $1,250 and $1,500 per year, respectively.
- Nearly all schools in the top 10 are public institutions, particularly regional campuses in the Southeast and Southwest.
- A handful of schools eliminate residency pricing altogether, which can make tuition costs more predictable for online students nationwide.
We ordered the list by manually researched online tuition after verifying fully online delivery.
How We Rank "Most Affordable" Schools
The OnlineU research team manually collects and verifies tuition data for every school on our lists, ensuring you see accurate, up-to-date costs whether you're pursuing an associate, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral program. To qualify, schools must offer fully online degrees, hold institutional accreditation, and have verifiable enrollment data through the National Center for Education Statistics. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
We prioritize schools that offer a consistent tuition rate across programs at the same degree level, so you're not caught off guard by unexpected price differences between majors, and for graduate programs we go a step further by individually calculating program costs since credit requirements and fees vary widely.
2026 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degrees
| Rank | School | Annual In-State Tuition | Annual Out-of-State Tuition | Recommendation | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina University | $1,250 | $6,249 | 97% | $53,478 | |
| University of North Texas | $1,500 | $13,650 | 87% | $50,657 | |
| Polk State College | $2,753 | $11,433 | 85% | $49,499 | |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | $3,152 | $14,524 | 95% | $44,942 | |
| Dalton State College | $3,270 | $12,660 | 86% | $42,922 | |
| North Carolina A&T State University | $3,600 | $17,850 | 90% | $45,469 | |
| Georgia Highlands College | $3,846 | $13,026 | 100% | N/A | |
| Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus | $4,194 | $6,174 | 92% | $44,100 | |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | $4,243 | $22,380 | 77% | $53,216 | |
| Florida Atlantic University | $4,356 | $19,171 | 89% | $55,057 | |
| North Carolina Central University | $4,659 | $20,955 | 83% | $45,281 | |
| Friends University | $4,740 | $4,740 | 94% | N/A | |
| University of Central Florida | $5,018 | $21,882 | 93% | $51,773 | |
| California Coast University | $5,100 | $5,100 | 92% | N/A | |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | $5,220 | $5,220 | 71% | N/A |
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- WCU is the #1 cheapest criminal justice bachelor's degree online in the U.S. right now and it still manages to pull off a 97% recommendation rate from student surveys we've collected.
- A unique option is the ability to combine criminal justice with Emergency and Disaster Management through a built-in dual major or minor pathway. Disaster response, crisis coordination, and public safety increasingly overlap with modern policing, corrections, and victim services, especially during natural disasters and large-scale emergencies.
- WCU describes faculty connections across law enforcement, courts, corrections, law, and victim programs.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Western Carolina University are largely favorable, with students most often praising approachable professors, small class sizes, and a teaching-centered environment that makes it easier to build strong faculty relationships and get individualized help. Many also value the beautiful mountain setting, active campus life, and abundant outdoor recreation. Affordability is a recurring strength, especially compared with other options, though several reviewers note weak financial aid, costly books, and housing challenges. Less obvious concerns include limited dining capacity, outdated technology, uneven instructor quality, narrow course variety in some areas, remote location, and a desire for stronger career guidance and loan counseling.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 2,207 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $53,478
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 59%
- Retention Rate: 76%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- UNT is offering one of the cheapest in-state tuition figures on the list at $1,500 but it's doing so from a position of authority, as a major research university with a Tier One Carnegie Classification.
- All criminal justice courses are designed and developed by full-time department faculty, which connects online students to the department’s high standards, research priorities, and instructional design.
3 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
The University of North Texas gave me a solid academic experience while earning my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The professors were knowledgeable and the coursework covered many important areas of the criminal justice system. However, one... Read More
The University of North Texas gave me the tools I needed to pursue my career. Not only did I receive tools to help me in my career but with life in general. I was able to start peer relationships that would last a lifetime. It made me see how team work... Read More
It's a really good school with a liberal ideology. If you want a degree in music, journalism, or criminal justice, then this is your school. I don't know much about other majors. It has a big recycling program with bins everywhere. Also, the marching... Read More
Student Review Summary: Reviews of the University of North Texas are broadly positive, with many describing caring, knowledgeable professors, strong academic preparation, and a diverse, welcoming campus culture that helps people feel they belong. Students frequently praise practical career outcomes, research access, internships, flexible online formats, and opportunities to get involved through events, organizations, and peer collaboration. Denton is often seen as lively, affordable, and distinctive. Criticism centers on inconsistent advising, financial aid delays, registration problems, parking, rising costs, construction, and administrative indifference. A smaller group also reports uneven teaching quality, commuter-school limitations, and concerns that athletics or expansion sometimes overshadow academic support.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 3,184 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $50,657
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 77%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This program is geared toward traditional undergraduates but also active law enforcement professionals seeking incentive pay, promotion eligibility, or career advancement.
- Rather than forcing students into a narrow concentration, PSC appears designed as a practical “working systems overview” degree that can support multiple pathways simultaneously, including entry-level criminal justice employment, promotion within law enforcement agencies, or preparation for graduate school.
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Polk State College as affordable, flexible, and workable for people balancing school with full-time jobs. Many praise online, night, and accelerated eight-week courses, multiple campus locations, approachable professors, tutoring, and support centers that can help you finish quickly and limit debt. The clearest drawback is administrative dysfunction. Financial aid, advising, admissions, residency processing, and cashier operations are repeatedly described as confusing, slow, unresponsive, and sometimes disruptive enough to delay registration, scholarships, or class access. A smaller number also cite large in-person classes, inconsistent campus quality, weak instructional delivery in some courses, and disappointment with how credentials are labeled.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 4,120 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $49,499
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 34%
- Retention Rate: N/A
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- Most competing programs emphasize operational areas like policing, corrections, or courts, whereas FAMU positions the field of criminal justice within larger conversations about culture, inequality, and institutional systems. For example, the inclusion of minority and gender studies alongside the usual subjects is a meaningful differentiator.
- Instead of allowing students to remain entirely inside a criminal justice silo, FAMU forces interdisciplinary exposure through an additional 18-credit required minor.
2 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
Florida A&M University is an excellent university. Every professor is dedicated to the students and wants to make sure each student succeeds. To learn the campus and make new friends, join organizations as a freshman. I have worked for two government... Read More
Your advisor is your bestfriend. They have the best interest for you at heart. Attending Florida A& M University is the best decision I have ever made. The faulty and staff at this university are always willing to lend you a helping hand.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Florida A&M University are overwhelmingly positive, driven by strong ratings and near-universal recommendations. Students frequently praise caring professors, accessible advisors, and small classes that create personal mentorship, accountability, and lasting faculty relationships. Many say the university builds confidence, cultural pride, independence, professionalism, and a tight-knit family atmosphere, while also opening doors to internships, research, networking, and early career opportunities. Several reviews highlight rigorous coursework and hands-on preparation that translated into jobs or advanced study. The main drawbacks are administrative inefficiency, especially slow financial aid and advising responses, limited technology modernization, heavy workloads, occasional weak course structure, and concerns about diversity in some settings.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 192 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $44,942
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 52%
- Retention Rate: 86%
Online Degree:
What Sets This Program Apart:
- This online bachelor's is grounded in public-safety realities. Specifically, the department highlights concrete faculty-led engagement around topics like sex trafficking, misinformation, and public safety education.
- The availability of General Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Pre-Law tracks creates more intentional career segmentation than many programs in this price range.
- Courses like Race, Ethnicity & Criminal Justice, Crime and the Media, Profiling the Serial Offender, Family Violence, Terrorism & the Criminal Justice System, Victimology, and Management of Forensics give the curriculum a more issue-centered feel.
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Dalton State College are largely favorable, driven by strong ratings and repeated praise for accessible, compassionate instructors, small classes, and meaningful one-on-one support. Students frequently say they feel known personally rather than treated like a number, with advising, tutoring, office hours, and helpful faculty standing out as practical strengths. Several reviews also highlight friendly staff in admissions and financial aid, along with a campus culture where people readily answer questions and help with navigation. The main drawback is limited campus community: as a commuter college, students note fewer friendships, weaker social connection, and less fit for highly competitive career tracks.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 670 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $42,922
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 30%
- Retention Rate: 60%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of North Carolina A&T State University are overwhelmingly positive, with students repeatedly praising caring professors, accessible advisers, and a family-oriented culture that feels supportive long after graduation. Many say the school builds confidence, career readiness, and strong professional networks through mentorship, internships, research, and practical preparation for the workforce. Students also value campus pride, alumni involvement, events, diversity, and a strong sense of history and community service. Criticisms are limited but notable: some mention outdated teaching, large or introductory classes with less personal attention, uneven course quality, limited online options, program length, resource gaps, cost concerns, and weaker surrounding conditions.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
North Carolina A&T State University provided me with the necessary skills to succeed. I still to this day keep in touch with my professors who had open door policies and not only helped with school work but acted as advisers for emotional support. The... Read More
- Undergraduate Online: 989 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $45,469
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 80%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus as a largely affordable, flexible option, especially for people balancing work, family, or distance from campus. Many praise fully online and hybrid formats, recorded lectures, responsive professors, and small classes that create strong faculty access and personalized support. Several say the low tuition and scholarship or grant opportunities make completion realistic. Criticisms center on inconsistent advising, understaffing, limited course variety in smaller departments, and uneven online instruction, with some classes relying heavily on readings and discussion posts. A severe outlier cites major administrative and financial aid failures, while others note the rural location, weak community feel, and limited local amenities.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 2,274 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $44,100
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 62%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Florida Gulf Coast University are largely positive, with many describing a beautiful, eco-conscious campus, clean newer facilities, and small classes that make professors accessible and mentoring more personal. Students frequently praise academic support, online course flexibility, scholarships, career services, internships, and networking that helped with graduate school, employment, and balancing work or family responsibilities. Several also value the tight-knit, supportive culture, clubs, and community involvement. Criticism centers on uneven academic quality in some departments, limited challenge in certain courses, fast-filling classes, weak advising, poor communication across offices, delayed financial aid, and safety or administrative concerns.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.1 Student Review for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
Florida Gulf Coast University is known for its beautiful campus which is other wise tucked away in Fort Myers's Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University has smaller classroom sizes which I find ideal for a learning experience and was one of the reasons... Read More
- Undergraduate Online: 1,400 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $53,216
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 83%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Florida Atlantic University as a generally well-regarded, opportunity-rich school whose value depends heavily on department quality and a student’s self-direction. Many students praise supportive, knowledgeable professors, small class sizes, diversity, clean and safe campuses, and strong access to internships, research, clubs, and career growth. Several say the university helped them secure jobs, promotions, or graduate school placement. Honors and specialized environments are often described as close-knit and personalized. Criticism centers on inconsistent advising, disorganized administration, weak communication across departments, commuter-school energy, parking and housing costs, and some programs being too theoretical, unevenly staffed, or insufficiently hands-on.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.4 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
I attended FAU High and subsequently FAU from 2013-2017. FAU is a good school with a big university feeling in a small town setting. The professors tended to be easy to talk to, understanding and reasonable. I do not personally have any gripes with FAU... Read More
Florida Atlantic University has excellent programs and colleges of the like. For my undergrad studies, they provided great quality teaching and the material presented in lecture is solely based on the experience of the mentors, who have either become... Read More
I attended Florida Atlantic University in 2011 to 2015. Before I chose to attend this university I weighed the pros and cons. I will start by saying FAU is an amazing up and coming school. Each year the school is becoming more difficult to receive admittance.... Read More
- Undergraduate Online: 4,268 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $55,057
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 84%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of North Carolina Central University are largely favorable, with many describing supportive professors, small classes, and close-knit departments that feel like family. Students often say faculty are accessible, caring, and invested in career preparation, especially through hands-on projects, clinics, tutoring, networking, and flexible evening or online options for working adults. Several also value the empowering HBCU environment, affordability, scholarships, and strong food and campus community. Recurring complaints center on weak advising, inconsistent communication, disorganization, limited scholarships, parking, and occasional difficulty accessing offices or resources. Some also mention safety concerns in the surrounding area, despite visible security.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 1,202 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $45,281
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 75%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of Friends University are largely favorable, with most describing attentive professors, small classes, and a supportive environment that makes you feel known rather than anonymous. Many say the school accommodates working adults, athletes, and those balancing family responsibilities through flexible scheduling, online options, once-weekly meetings, and cohort formats. Several reviews highlight strong career preparation, practical experience, internships, networking, and close peer bonds. Common drawbacks center on high tuition, limited financial aid, year-round pacing with few breaks, and weak social or transportation options for some. One strongly negative review cites poor administration, tuition confusion, grading disputes, and unprofessional handling of complaints.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 121 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 70%
Student Review Summary: Reviews portray UCF as a large, opportunity-rich university where motivated students can build strong outcomes through internships, research, clubs, and networking. Many praised engaged professors, diverse campus life, modern facilities, and abundant resources such as career services, study spaces, health support, and online flexibility. Students often said the experience becomes more rewarding after getting involved, and several credited UCF with jobs, graduate-school preparation, or clearer career direction. Recurring drawbacks centered on the scale: oversized classes, difficult parking, confusing scheduling, uneven advising, and frustrating financial aid or administrative support. Some also felt certain areas lacked career preparation, individual attention, or sufficient value for the cost.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.6 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
I absolutely loved my time at UCF. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my career so chose Criminal Justice as a placeholder, but ended up loving the courses. UCF as a whole was borderline perfect. I went in a shy high schooler and came out a relatively... Read More
I graduated wth my 4 year degree from UCF and I am about to begin the dual masters program for Criminal Justice and public administration. The curriculum for undergradauate studies was challenging but very rewarding. It has prepared me for my future career... Read More
Amazing university to attend, learned a lot about the criminal justice field which prepared me for many employment opportunities. The atmosphere is very diverse and a great place to network and make long term friends. I highly recommend this university... Read More
- Undergraduate Online: 8,871 enrolled
- Median Earnings: $51,773
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 92%
Student Review Summary: Reviews of California Coast University are overwhelmingly positive, driven by high ratings and frequent recommendations. Students consistently praise the self-paced structure, saying it makes completion possible while balancing full-time work, parenting, military service, or unpredictable schedules. Many describe the coursework as genuinely demanding, with extensive writing, tough open-book or proctored exams, and strong expectations for self-discipline rather than easy credit. Affordability, interest-free payment plans, responsive staff, and generous transfer-credit acceptance stand out as major advantages. The main drawbacks involve national rather than regional accreditation, limited transferability or licensing acceptance in some cases, sparse essay feedback for some, and degrees being withheld until balances are paid.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.4 Student Reviews for Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degrees
The only review you need - June 2023 After reading the reviews (most of the bad ones are really old) I felt compelled to offer my review having just completed my Bachelor's degree this week. Though CCU is not your traditional college, it definitely has... Read More
I am very satisfied with my experience with CCU. I used my GI Bill to complete my bachelor's degree with no issues. The staff and veterans assistance staff were amazing. They handled all of my concerns in a timely manner. My degree earned my a raise at... Read More
Let's face it, in this day in age you need a degree to help get you by. What is a degree? It's an award granted to you once you complete a series of requirements ( classes ). What is the result? A piece of paper with your name on it; thats it. I work... Read More
- Undergraduate Online: N/A
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: N/A
- Retention Rate: N/A
Student Review Summary: Reviews describe Georgia Southwestern State University as a place where many people value knowledgeable, supportive professors, a welcoming small-town atmosphere, flexible pacing, affordability, and helpful staff. Several reviewers say the environment feels personal, with strong communication, practical instruction, and resources that support career preparation. At the same time, criticism centers heavily on inconsistent online delivery. Reviewers report outdated materials, confusing course design, frequent setup errors, uneven professor engagement, limited feedback, and poor accountability when complaints are raised. The sharpest negative reviews also cite harsh grading practices, perceived favoritism, and an experience that felt like a poor return on time and money.
This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.- Undergraduate Online: 1,242 enrolled
- Median Earnings: N/A
- Avg. Grad. Rate: 32%
- Retention Rate: 64%
Comparing the Most Affordable Criminal Justice Degrees Online
Finding the right online criminal justice degree usually comes down to three things: how little you can pay, how likely you are to finish, and whether the program fits your work-and-life schedule. But beneath those tradeoffs, criminal justice programs themselves are incredibly varied in terms of the material they cover.
Across this list, degrees in this field blend criminological theory with applied training in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and policy 鈥� often with built-in internships, research components, or specialization tracks. Below are some examples:
WCU's criminal justice program online has an option to add an Emergency and Disaster Management concentration.
FAMU integrates criminological research methods and computer technology to examine systemic and social justice issues.
NC A&T covers data-driven justice through online courses in SPSS and Stata, alongside cybercrime and cybersecurity law.
PSC takes a prevention- and policy-forward approach that's grounded in sociology, psychology, and public policy.
FGCU and Friends U, embed mandatory internships and professional development courses to connect students with real workplace practice.
Our 2026 affordability ranking starts with annual in-state tuition (manually collected and verified), but that's just the beginning. To find the best overall value, you want to delve into salary outcomes among criminal justice alumni at these programs as well as graduation rates, online popularity, and student recommendation rates. Let's get started.
Affordability Over Time: Online Criminal Justice Degrees for Your Budget
This year鈥檚 price floor is dramatically lower than what most students expect for a bachelor鈥檚-level program in criminal justice. For a field where many early-career roles don鈥檛 automatically come with high salaries, a low tuition can make a huge difference. Graduating without student debt can ultimately give you more freedom in the long run.
Besides the top 5, several others stay under $4,000/year, including NC A&T ($3,600) and GHC ($3,846).
Tuition vs. Earnings in Criminal Justice Degrees Online
Criminal justice bachelor's graduates tend to spend their first few years after graduation gaining field experience in law enforcement agencies, courts, corrections, compliance offices, or analytical roles before earnings begin to climb. That鈥檚 why the four-year-after-graduation salary data used here is especially telling 鈥� it captures outcomes once alumni have moved beyond entry-level roles and into more stable, career-track positions.
Several budget-friendly schools with online criminal justice degrees manage to pair exceptionally low tuition with earnings in the low-to-mid $50,000 range, suggesting strong early-career traction.
FAU posts the highest median salary among criminal justice alumni at $55,057. This is likely because the program covers leadership, management, and applied career preparation in detail, and these are the skills associated with advancement into supervisory or analyst roles.
WCU follows closely at $53,478, which is because it helps position graduates for broader public safety roles that often command higher pay over time. The online courses combine criminal justice with emergency and disaster management.
FGCU ($53,216) and UCF ($51,773) also stand out for providing structured internships, professional development, and leadership coursework. All of these features can help graduates transition more quickly into mid-level positions after graduation.
From a risk perspective, WCU and UNT are especially compelling. Their tuition is so low 鈥� roughly $5,000 to $6,000 total over four years 鈥� that even moderate earnings translate into a faster payback period.
Is a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Necessary for Long-Term Growth in Criminal Justice?
Can this degree lead to advancement in law enforcement, or is further education typically required?
"An associate degree opens the door, but it doesn鈥檛 usually take you too far up the ladder by itself. If someone wants to move into higher-ranking positions, like detective, sergeant, or even into federal roles, they鈥檒l almost always need a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher. Many departments actually require it for promotions."
How do online programs provide exposure to legal systems, ethics, and criminal procedures effectively?
"The better online programs use:
-
Case studies
-
Virtual courtroom exercises
-
Recorded interviews
-
Moderated discussion boards to simulate real-world legal dilemmas.
What soft skills should students actively work on in this field?
"The work often puts you face-to-face with people in crisis, under stress, or on edge. If you can鈥檛 communicate clearly or stay calm, you鈥檒l struggle.
Ethics are also important. You鈥檒l face situations where no one is watching, and your choices still carry weight.
I鈥檇 say the most valuable soft skills are emotional control, sound judgment, active listening, and the ability to de-escalate. [You] can build them by paying attention, getting feedback, and learning from mistakes early on."
Are there any specialized tracks students should consider early on?
"There鈥檚 more to criminal justice than patrol work. If someone鈥檚 even remotely interested in areas like cybercrime, digital forensics, homeland security, or forensic psychology, it鈥檚 smart to start exploring those early. Agencies need people with those skills, and early specialization can make someone stand out in a pool of applicants.
It also helps to know what certifications are respected in each specialty so you can start building toward them while you鈥檙e still in school.
EXPERT TIP
"As long as the school is accredited and has a solid reputation, most hiring managers don鈥檛 mind that it was online. What matters more is whether the person shows up prepared; good judgment, communication, a clear understanding of the system."
FAQs About Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degrees
How Does OnlineU Rank the Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees?
To be considered for this ranking, a school must offer at least one fully online bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice or a closely related field, such as criminology, justice studies, law enforcement, or public safety.
All eligible institutions must hold institutional accreditation and report online enrollment data to NCES/IPEDS, which are maintained by the U.S. Department of Education.
OnlineU evaluates affordability using a standardized methodology designed to support apples-to-apples comparisons among the lowest-cost criminal justice degrees online. Partner and non-partner institutions are assessed using the same criteria, so advertising relationships never influence rankings.
Final rankings are determined solely by annual in-state tuition. All tuition figures are manually collected and verified from official institutional sources to ensure accuracy and consistency across the list.
How Hard is a Criminal Justice Bachelor鈥檚 Degree?
The difficulty level of a criminal justice degree depends on each student's interests and abilities. The coursework pushes students to sharpen their analytical and critical thinking skills in particular. Specifically, criminal justice 鈥� a liberal arts program 鈥� often requires a great deal of independent reading, research, and writing, but it also involves group collaboration on projects.
Students may wonder whether a criminal justice program will be more difficult online or in person. However, online programs are comparable to in-person programs. To maintain accreditation, schools typically design the curriculum for their online criminal justice programs to be the same as (or very similar) to their on-campus counterparts. Courses generally cover the same materials and meet the same objectives, and the same faculty members often teach them. Whether students follow a traditional path or pursue distance education, they must fulfill a standardized set of graduation requirements to earn their degrees.
What Are Some Common Criminal Justice Courses?
The following presents a list of common courses in this field:
- Constitutional Law: With coursework emphasizing the protection of citizens' rights, this course provides an in-depth look at the Constitution and amendments governing criminal justice procedures as well as the overall legal system.
- Criminal Courts and the Judicial System: The criminal court system bridges law enforcement and the correctional system. The coursework provides an overview of relevant legal procedures, from the rules governing police investigation and apprehension to trial court procedures and sentencing. Students also review the roles of local, state, and federal courts.
- Criminal Investigation: This class introduces students to fundamental crime scene investigation practices and procedures, and it may involve some experiential learning or case studies. Students learn about the various tools and methods used to scrutinize different types of crimes, crime scenes, and the investigative processes used in laboratories.
- Policing and Law Enforcement: This course introduces law enforcement operations, strategies, and procedures at the federal, state, and local levels. The coursework also addresses critical contemporary issues confronting law enforcement agencies, such as officer selection and training, multi-jurisdictional cooperation, and police misconduct.
Are There Criminal Justice Scholarships for Online Students?
To help with affordability, many private and public universities, associations, and institutions offer scholarships. Future criminal justice majors can apply for private scholarships to help pay tuition once they've applied for federal financial aid. Scholarships and grants can be an excellent way to pay for college because they don't require repayment. However, it's important to remember that applying for financial aid from almost any source typically requires enrollment in an accredited school.
Students may be interested in some of the following scholarships specific to criminal justice majors:
- Alpha Phi Sigma Scholarships: Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, offers scholarships to members ranging from .
- Pursuing A Positive Impact Scholarship: The Commonwealth Law Group awards a scholarship to a high school or undergraduate student with at least a 3.0 GPA who submits an essay detailing how they volunteer in their community.
- The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship: This scholarship requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, and applicants must currently be a senior with U.S. citizenship in a San Francisco Bay Area high school who is planning on enrolling in a two- or four-year degree program. The award is up to .
- The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program: Applicants must have declared their major in criminal justice and are currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year university, at least nine credit hours per term. They must also be in the second half of the second year of school when applying. The scholarship is worth anywhere from .
Student Reviews of Online Criminal Justice Programs
As a 37 year old mother who is enrolled for the 3rd and final time in college (Masters journey) , i highly highly recommend UOPX. I attemd online . The flexibility is amazing and the support from the university is superb . The instructors are also very kind and educated. 10 out of 10 every time !
Aloha always and thank you UOPX
Review Date: 6/24/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I love how the instructor communicate with us and always checking on us to make sure we are doing okay and to see if we need help with anything. She takes her time and tells us how we suppose to do everything. She also gave us her number just in case we need to reach her.
Review Date: 1/28/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My only addition to the review is that I鈥檝e been reading the required course readings in addition to the sources they鈥檝e used and I鈥檝e been coming across questions in the quizzes and exams that are not touched on during the readings. In an online setting where no additional information is being provided from instruction, it feels like we鈥檙e being left to guess which has a negative impact on grades and learning.
Review Date: 11/12/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My only addition to the review is that I鈥檝e been reading the required course readings in addition to the sources they鈥檝e used and I鈥檝e been coming across questions in the quizzes and exams that are not touched on during the readings. In an online setting where no additional information is being provided from instruction, it feels like we鈥檙e being left to guess which has a negative impact on grades and learning.
Review Date: 11/12/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
My experience with university of Phoenix has been amazing. The staff is great one thing I really don鈥檛 like, but I do have the same time as they always will call to check in and make sure you鈥檙e doing OK but for me calls are very hard for me to answer especially when I鈥檓 working so I prefer to be emailed or texted or even when they leave a voicemail like just be descriptive on why they鈥檙e calling because half of the time I get voicemails from school and it just says hello my name is this. I鈥檓 with... Read More
Review Date: 12/22/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I would recommend CTU to anyone. I have already convinced my husband to go to college and he is currently enrolled in the Criminal Justice program. Everyone that I speak when they find out that I am in college, I am continuing with a master's degree in computer science, I always ask them what they would like to obtain. If they are serious, I give them Autumn Star's phone number. I let them know that the instructors are the best, and that if I can do it, they can.
Review Date: 5/29/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
My friend recently referred me to UNOP and explained that their accelerated degree program lets students finish their bachelor's degree faster than traditional paths. I transferred my community college credits to UNOP. I'm really excited about this opportunity because it will help me complete my education sooner and better prepare me to pursue my future goals.
Review Date: 9/29/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I think my school is really great. They listen to me as a student, and have helped me with my needs in order to succeed. They utilize their efforts very efficiently to make sure that students thrive in an environment that is either in person or online.
Review Date: 12/7/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Admissions is easy and the information that the professors teach you is the latest information out there. They make these classes easy to attend especially for those who have families or full time jobs. The professors make themselves avaliable to you if you ever need to speak to them or review your work
Review Date: 3/18/2026
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I have throughly enjoyed being in this college and am ready to enjoy the rest of my journey. I would definitely spread my experience with others. The professor's at this college are wonderful and always willing to help. I'm proud to be a student at this college.
Review Date: 5/2/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Everything was great until it was time to pay SNHU. They told me I had a grace period but they were so greedy that they sent it to collection without giving me time to pay and I requested over and over for a payment plan they didn't care once I graduated. The financial team was rude and lied to me
Review Date: 9/24/2025
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
I would recommend CTU to all that is looking for a college.CTU makes you feel welcome, and eager to guide you though it all . I am more then pleased to have received my diploma here. This was the greatest success and choice I've ever made thank you CTU
Review Date: 5/30/2025
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
This school is accredited, so if you had doubts about that, it is okay. The faculty and staff are nice and help you with your academic path. Beware of the course material. You can easily graduate with honors and a 4.0, but you will NOT be prepared for your career in the slightest. The most cited source for corse material is YouTube. I don't think that is very professional or educational. You can't attend and graduate from this institution but you will be severely sent back by the lack of quality... Read More
Review Date: 3/19/2022
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Strayer University has provided me a way to continue my passion for earning my degree in the Criminal Justice field the best part about it is that I am able to work towards my degree completely online, which means I am able to work Full-time and enjoy life with my kids. Everyone I ve had the pleasure of speaking with have always been helpful. This is my second year attending and I do plan to earn my degree from Strayer!! Thanks Strayer University for truly providing a way to continue me education!... Read More
Review Date: 11/21/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
If I could leave zero stars I would. I took a majority of course when doing my associates for transfer. At my original school the courses state UC and USC eligible for transfer. The course description matching the course description at UTPB. However, they will not honor the course because the class is not labeled (numbered) the same as UTPBs.
I've had 2 advisors in 1 year and each have given me a different degree plan, and lacked updating it with courses I took at UTPB.
The advisor I currently have... Read More
I have reached out to the Dean several times and am now being ignored after our meeting 3 weeks ago to find out why my classes aren't transferring and when I could actually graduate.
This school is not worth the time and energy. There's a reason it's a cheaper UT school. I would not recommend!
Review Date: 9/10/2024
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
The school is ok when you want a family feel. You meet so many different people. Very sociable school and plus its a hbcu. Most professors are knowledgeable and want you to succeed.Then you have others that are the opposite. The overall process of getting into the school is draining. You get very discourage and may want to reconsider going here because the administrative staff was highly disorganized (incompetent). Hardly could get in touch with anyone and when you would was given the run around.... Read More
Review Date: 1/27/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Purdue University is a fabulous school and the idea of being able to take classes on-line in an accelerated format worked for my education goals. The professors and instructors were all very informative and well educated in the course of instruction they taught. I wanted to attend Purdue University Global for the recognition of the school and it's reputation within academia.
Review Date: 1/20/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I just graduated with my bachelor's and I am still enrolled at CTU now to get my master's. The only downside I would share is the price. CTU is very expensive and I have a large amount of student loans owed now. I wanted my degree so I did it despite the cost. I think it is something that could use some reviewing however in the future. Staff and faculty have all been great in all my experiences with them so that goes a long way to know someone is willing to help you and talk to you. I am happy with... Read More
Review Date: 6/9/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
The only review you need - June 2023 After reading the reviews (most of the bad ones are really old) I felt compelled to offer my review having just completed my Bachelor's degree this week. Though CCU is not your traditional college, it definitely has its place in further education. It is super convenient for someone like me who works full-time+, on top of having a two kid family. I was referred to CCU by a former student because I had limited time to complete my degree for an upcoming LT promotional... Read More
Review Date: 6/23/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I have been extremely offended by members of your staff when inquiring about my school loans they are the rudest staff I have every encountered and I was going to continue my education with the law school but after this experience I have had I will no longer be entertaining that process and I have friends that we鈥檙e interested in going to Purdue and I will bet letting them know how rude and unprofessional your administration staff is with their students
Review Date: 11/24/2023
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No