50 Most Affordable Criminal Justice School Programs

Get Matched With Criminal Justice Colleges

Future university students want to earn a degree in a field of their choosing so that they can be productive and also enjoy their careers. However, tuition costs have gone up nearly every year for decades, making it more difficult for families to afford higher education aspirations for their children.

This is true of criminal justice programs at colleges and universities across the United States, many of which did not exist 20 years ago. Many university administrators realize that, if they want students to come to their institutions, they have to make sure that their degrees are affordable.

Well-designed undergraduate criminal justice programs expose their students to the theories and practice of criminal justice. They also offer students opportunities to practice what they are learning. Students majoring in criminal justice may be required to choose an internship in the community or simply to complete a shadowing experience so that they can get a feel for a criminal justice job and what that may look like. Luckily, many of these students are also able to compete for scholarships and grants designed for those who are majoring in criminal justice. But even those who cannot find scholarships can choose to attend a school that won’t empty their wallet.

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Top 50 Affordable Criminal Justice Colleges and Universities

1

Elizabeth City State University

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,412
- Out-of-State: $7,412
Net Price: $4,120
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,149
Undergrad Students: 2,033
Graduate Students: 116
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

2

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 94.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,470
- Out-of-State: $15,420
Net Price: $5,001
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 13,921
Undergrad Students: 12,061
Graduate Students: 1,860
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

3

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Score: 93.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,064
- Out-of-State: $18,944
Net Price: $5,068
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 16,426
Undergrad Students: 13,969
Graduate Students: 2,457
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

4

Texas A&M International University

Score: 91.71

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,846
- Out-of-State: $19,382
Net Price: $5,383
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 8,505
Undergrad Students: 6,979
Graduate Students: 1,526
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

5

Dalton State College

Score: 90.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,283
- Out-of-State: $10,189
Net Price: $5,532
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 22%
Total Enrollment: 4,527
Undergrad Students: 4,527
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $57,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

6

California State University-Los Angeles

Score: 88.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,818
- Out-of-State: $18,698
Net Price: $5,801
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 26,460
Undergrad Students: 22,737
Graduate Students: 3,723
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

7

Georgia Highlands College

Score: 87.29

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,944
- Out-of-State: $9,296
Net Price: $6,055
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 58%

Graduation Rate: 19%
Total Enrollment: 4,768
Undergrad Students: 4,768
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $52,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

8

Le Moyne-Owen College

Score: 85.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,076
- Out-of-State: $12,076
Net Price: $6,308
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 18%
Total Enrollment: 609
Undergrad Students: 609
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

9

Fayetteville State University

Score: 85.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State: $7,969
Net Price: $6,355
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 6,787
Undergrad Students: 5,748
Graduate Students: 1,039
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

10

Chicago State University

Score: 84.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,754
- Out-of-State: $12,754
Net Price: $6,446
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 55%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 2,317
Undergrad Students: 1,450
Graduate Students: 867
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

11

Indiana University-Northwest

Score: 84.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $6,553
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 37%
Total Enrollment: 3,198
Undergrad Students: 2,860
Graduate Students: 338
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

12

Indiana University-Kokomo

Score: 83.4

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $6,648
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,846
Undergrad Students: 2,669
Graduate Students: 177
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

13

Atlanta Metropolitan State College

Score: 82.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,105
- Out-of-State: $9,731
Net Price: $6,758
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 48%

Graduation Rate: 24%
Total Enrollment: 1,435
Undergrad Students: 1,435
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $59,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

14

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 79.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State: $21,480
Net Price: $7,259
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

15

Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Score: 79.29

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,050
- Out-of-State: $14,650
Net Price: $7,274
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 4,289
Undergrad Students: 4,289
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $53,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

16

Jarvis Christian University

Score: 78.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,720
- Out-of-State: $11,720
Net Price: $7,365
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 41%

Graduation Rate: 16%
Total Enrollment: 729
Undergrad Students: 729
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

17

Ohio University-Eastern

Score: 77.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State: $9,170
Net Price: $7,478
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 58%

Graduation Rate: 16%
Total Enrollment: 1,143
Undergrad Students: 1,143
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

18

California State University-Bakersfield

Score: 77.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,696
- Out-of-State: $19,576
Net Price: $7,521
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 9,613
Undergrad Students: 8,188
Graduate Students: 1,425
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

19

California State University-Stanislaus

Score: 77.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,826
- Out-of-State: $19,706
Net Price: $7,555
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 10,154
Undergrad Students: 8,926
Graduate Students: 1,228
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

20

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Score: 77.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,327
- Out-of-State: $20,481
Net Price: $7,587
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 8,721
Undergrad Students: 2,465
Graduate Students: 6,256
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

21

Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Score: 75.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,040
- Out-of-State: $12,624
Net Price: $7,822
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 57%

Graduation Rate: 26%
Total Enrollment: 1,145
Undergrad Students: 1,145
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

22

Heritage University

Score: 75.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,920
- Out-of-State: $19,920
Net Price: $7,841
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 853
Undergrad Students: 796
Graduate Students: 57
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

23

Ohio University-Lancaster

Score: 75.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State: $9,170
Net Price: $7,913
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 54%

Graduation Rate: 13%
Total Enrollment: 1,994
Undergrad Students: 1,994
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $45,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

24

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 75.01

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

25

Ohio University-Zanesville

Score: 74.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State: $9,170
Net Price: $8,076
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 50%

Graduation Rate: 19%
Total Enrollment: 1,923
Undergrad Students: 1,923
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

26

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 73.83

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State: $19,939
Net Price: $8,105
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 31,559
Undergrad Students: 26,434
Graduate Students: 5,125
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

27

Ohio University-Southern

Score: 73.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State: $9,170
Net Price: $8,181
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 49%

Graduation Rate: 21%
Total Enrollment: 2,006
Undergrad Students: 2,006
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $55,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

28

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Score: 73.15

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State: $7,571
Net Price: $8,208
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 7,666
Undergrad Students: 5,643
Graduate Students: 2,023
Grads Salary: $56,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

29

Indiana University-Southeast

Score: 72.79

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,264
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 3,672
Undergrad Students: 3,227
Graduate Students: 445
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

30

Northern New Mexico College

Score: 72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,400
- Out-of-State: $14,328
Net Price: $8,383
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 53%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 1,154
Undergrad Students: 1,154
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

31

Ohio University-Chillicothe

Score: 71.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,178
- Out-of-State: $9,170
Net Price: $8,456
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 56%

Graduation Rate: 18%
Total Enrollment: 1,928
Undergrad Students: 1,928
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

32

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Score: 71.17

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,855
- Out-of-State: $16,497
Net Price: $8,510
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 3,947
Undergrad Students: 3,236
Graduate Students: 711
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

33

Coppin State University

Score: 70.83

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,001
- Out-of-State: $13,789
Net Price: $8,562
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 24%
Total Enrollment: 2,006
Undergrad Students: 1,757
Graduate Students: 249
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

34

The University of West Florida

Score: 70.52

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,360
- Out-of-State: $19,241
Net Price: $8,609
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 13,521
Undergrad Students: 9,291
Graduate Students: 4,230
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

35

Eastern New Mexico University

Score: 69.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,863
- Out-of-State: $8,843
Net Price: $8,702
Acceptance Rate: 28%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 5,106
Undergrad Students: 3,833
Graduate Students: 1,273
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

36

Marshall University

Score: 69.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,942
- Out-of-State: $20,294
Net Price: $8,756
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 10,691
Undergrad Students: 7,952
Graduate Students: 2,739
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

37

Indiana University-South Bend

Score: 69.36

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,785
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 4,326
Undergrad Students: 3,753
Graduate Students: 573
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

38

California State University-San Bernardino

Score: 69.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,675
- Out-of-State: $19,555
Net Price: $8,805
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 19,803
Undergrad Students: 17,034
Graduate Students: 2,769
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

39

Indiana University-East

Score: 69.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $8,837
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 3,039
Undergrad Students: 2,786
Graduate Students: 253
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

40

California State University-Northridge

Score: 68.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,095
- Out-of-State: $18,975
Net Price: $8,936
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 37,579
Undergrad Students: 32,181
Graduate Students: 5,398
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

41

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Score: 67.27

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,990
- Out-of-State: $14,270
Net Price: $9,104
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 58%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 1,847
Undergrad Students: 1,824
Graduate Students: 23
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

42

Monroe College

Score: 66.92

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,922
- Out-of-State: $17,922
Net Price: $9,157
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 7,011
Undergrad Students: 5,916
Graduate Students: 1,095
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

43

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 66.71

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State: $20,408
Net Price: $9,189
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 57%
Total Enrollment: 13,487
Undergrad Students: 11,833
Graduate Students: 1,654
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

44

Utah Valley University

Score: 65.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,270
- Out-of-State: $17,830
Net Price: $9,346
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 43,099
Undergrad Students: 42,296
Graduate Students: 803
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

45

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Score: 65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,640
- Out-of-State: $22,752
Net Price: $9,450
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,607
Undergrad Students: 5,636
Graduate Students: 971
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

46

Savannah State University

Score: 64.98

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,498
- Out-of-State: $16,218
Net Price: $9,452
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 28%
Total Enrollment: 2,945
Undergrad Students: 2,740
Graduate Students: 205
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

47

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Score: 64.48

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,064
- Out-of-State: $20,120
Net Price: $9,529
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 56%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 1,481
Undergrad Students: 1,481
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

48

University of Arkansas Grantham

Score: 64.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,280
- Out-of-State: $8,280
Net Price: $9,546
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 36%

Graduation Rate: 25%
Total Enrollment: 5,436
Undergrad Students: 4,598
Graduate Students: 838
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 33:1

49

The University of Texas at El Paso

Score: 64.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,744
- Out-of-State: $25,512
Net Price: $9,563
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 23,880
Undergrad Students: 20,165
Graduate Students: 3,715
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

50

Polk State College

Score: 64.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,366
- Out-of-State: $12,272
Net Price: $9,588
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 8,180
Undergrad Students: 8,180
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $61,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

Find Your Criminal Justice College

Why a Degree from an Affordable Criminal Justice School?

High school juniors and seniors may find their inbox a blizzard of incoming emails from colleges and universities across the country. These come from the schools’ marketing departments, trying to induce students to choose their programs. As students view these emails and colorful brochures, they may rightfully be confused; where should they go? Another question many of them consider is, “will my family be able to afford this?”

When high school students know themselves well and have a good idea of what kind of career they want, some of the work of choosing an affordable college or university may already be done. If students aren’t quite sure what they want to do after college, it means choosing a school that will provide them with the most options—even if it means switching majors once or twice.

Once students have a list of colleges offering their major, for instance, criminal justice, it’s time to start researching each school’s tuition and fees. After all, public colleges and universities often offer lower tuition rates for in-state vs out-of-state students, though their state may also have reciprocal agreements with other states, such as the Western Undergraduate Exchange, and they should consider those as well.

Choosing the right school based on its majors and affordability mean that students won’t be dragged down by student loans for years after graduation. These loans could force students to put off buying a house, getting married, or having children.

Choosing an Affordable Criminal Justice College

As future college students weigh their options, affordability is often, and often should be, top of mind. While students want to choose the best program available, they can do so while ruling out schools that are too expensive for their families to afford. Some factors students should consider include the following.

The first is, are they affordable? Students and their families can speak to the financial aid offices of the schools they are most interested in to see if any fees can be waived and if they can gain enough support to be able to afford a school’s tuition cost. Schools normally charge tuition per credit hour. Most courses offer three credits, which means they will multiply the per-credit amount times three. Students taking 12 credits get a general idea of their tuition this way.

Next, what financing options will the student and their family have available? Rather than paying the entire sticker price, students should choose as many options as they have available to bring this cost down; grants, scholarships, and work-study are good ideas. Student loans, whether federal or private, should be the last option. The student’s parents may have employers who offer tuition assistance; if one or both parents are active-duty military, this is also an option as children of active-duty military may qualify for financial assistance.

Next, students need to find flexible course options that easily fit into their daily schedules. For instance, if they have to hold down a part- or full-time job, this can make college attendance a challenge.

Finally, students and their parents should look at degree outcomes. This means the likelihood of finding a job in their major. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an excellent resource; it publishes data on job outlook for careers and it also provides maps that show location quotients for specific careers in each state. Students can also find projected salaries here.

Having all of this information available before the student makes their choices about which colleges they want to attend may make that decision easier. Knowing that a degree program like criminal justice offers a favorable outlook for both employment and salary makes the choice easier as well.

Online Options

Some programs have been designed to meet the professional and educational needs of people who are already working in this field. These programs are set up to help law enforcement professionals with career advancement.

However, some online criminal justice degrees will meet the needs of students who want to prepare for entry-level criminal justice positions. Depending on the individual situations of students who want to earn criminal justice degrees, there are online degree programs, and online schools, that teach on the subject. Some of the course offerings may include research methods, corrections, forensic science, juvenile justice, leadership, management, criminology, court systems, criminal law, and civil and criminal investigations.

A bachelor’s degree program may require senior students to complete a senior project, which allows them to demonstrate the depth and width of their knowledge of this field. Students who are considering whether their current circumstances, such as work and family, will allow them to devote time to school may want to focus more on finding online programs that can fit school into their current schedule. They should verify for themselves whether the program, as designed, meets their needs as new students who are preparing to enter criminal justice careers. A little closer reading tells new would-be students if the program is intended as professional development for current law enforcement professionals or a new degree for students just getting into the field.

Are Criminal Justice Programs in High Demand?

The employment outlook for police officers and detectives is expected to grow by 5% between 2019 and 2029, this is faster than the average for other occupations. However, factors affecting the demand for employment will vary depending on location. For instance, demand and ability to hire is fueled mostly by state and local budgets. Current and future police officers and detectives should anticipate about 59,100 job openings each year through this decade.

While the education required for someone to become a police officer or detective varies, students should plan to earn a high school diploma and then spend two to four years in school. Some locales require their law enforcement officers to have associate degrees, while other locations require bachelor’s degrees.

Other specialties in the law enforcement field, such as probation officer, are expected to grow by 6% and forensic science technicians are in high demand, with a job growth rate of 17%.

Should students who want a law enforcement degree want to branch out into other areas, they can become crime scene investigators, immigration officers or fish and game wardens. For those students who want to work in a federal law agency, such as the FBI or DEA, a graduate degree in criminal justice prepares them to work in leadership positions. A new development in the law enforcement field means that police departments are putting more emphasis on trauma-informed policing. In this role, police officers must be able to relate (be empathetic) toward any victims or perpetrators they may meet with.

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What Can You Do with a Degree in Criminal Justice?

Within the criminal justice profession, new graduates may be able to choose from a wide menu of roles. Knowing that this career requires officers to administer justice to people who have been accused of, or have committed, crimes, new law enforcement professionals are able to choose which specialty they wish to work in.

Private detectives may own their own businesses, working for private clients. Or they may be hired to help law enforcement agencies. More often, they may carry out background checks and find information in divorce cases or worker’s compensation claims. On the other hand, U.S. Marshals work for the oldest federal law enforcement agency. They may carry out fugitive manhunts or transport prisoners or they may also take part in tactical operations or provide security to judges and jurors.

FBI agents investigate crimes on the federal level including cyber-crimes, terrorism, bank robberies, public corruption, organized crime, espionage, and drug trafficking. Another federal agency, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, evaluating, and sending foreign intelligence to help the president and U.S. government policymakers as they make decisions concerning national security.

Corporate investigators may carry out background checks in one assignment and then investigate potential violations of law or company policy for another assignment. Crime laboratory analysts work to solve crimes by using evidence such as hair samples, DNA, blood samples and trace evidence. They also examine weapons, fingerprints, and other collected evidence.

Fish and game wardens work outdoors patrolling forest preserves and waterways. They also patrol national parks and other designated public lands, protecting visitors and wildlife habitats. Fire investigators analyze fire scenes to determine the cause of a fire. A U.S. Postal inspector works with forensics, carries out interviews and uses other investigative techniques to solve crimes (theft, fraud, identity theft, and vandalism), focusing on crimes involving the U.S. Postal Service.

As you can see, there are many things you can do with a degree in criminal justice. All you need to do is get your degree and consider which field or specialization interests you more. Or, you might know someone in a field and hope to perform the same function that they do in society. Whatever your reasons, there is plenty for criminal justice graduates to busy themselves with.

Criminal Justice Graduates Earn More After College

Students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice can expect to earn an average of $59,000 annually. Once they’ve graduated, they may find a position as a security manager. These professionals earn around $68,000 each year, depending on job duties and the size of their employer’s company. As a probation officer, graduates could earn an annual salary of $39,000, while as a police officer or sheriff’s patrol officer they would earn near the average of $54,000 annually. Fraud investigators with this degree may earn $66,000 and security directors earn closer to $92,000.

Law enforcement professionals who have earned their Master of Science in Criminal Justice may work as probation officers, earning $45,000. A security manager may earn $89,000. After working for several years in law enforcement a law enforcement professional with a master’s degree may advance to become a police chief and earn $84,000 or more annually. If this individual instead chooses to work for a federal law enforcement agency such as the CIA, they may work as an intelligence analyst, earning $70,000.

Crime analysts who have earned their Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice may earn between $34,000 and $50,000, though this all depends on their geographical region, past experience, and level of education. Detectives and criminal investigators may hold their Bachelor’s in Criminal Science and they should expect to earn anywhere between $36,000 to $60,000 per year.

Forensic psychologists should hold a master’s in psychology, although, in rare cases, a forensic psychologist with a bachelor’s degree may work in this field. These specialists earn between $57,000 and $80,000. Special agents usually work for state and federal investigative agencies. They may work on investigating financial crimes, major robberies, violent crimes, and fraud, or they may even on terrorism task forces.

Considering that the average person in the U.S. makes around $37,000 per year if they do not earn a college degree, it’s obvious that earning a degree in criminal justice can improve your lifetime earnings dramatically.

FAQs

What will I learn in a criminal justice program?
This major brings the criminal justice profession to students, giving them an understanding of each component of the system such as courts, corrections, and policing.
Can you get a criminal justice degree online?
Students interested in a criminal justice degree program do have the option to opt for an online criminal justice bachelor’s degree. Universities that offer this option realize that some students may face challenges that make a traditional on-campus program difficult to maintain. Additionally, there aren’t many required hands-on components to a general criminal justice degree, though if you opt for something in forensics or need to complete police training, these will have hands-on or lab work components.
What kind of job can you get with a criminal justice degree?
Criminal justice graduates can find a wide range of jobs, depending on any concentration they took while in school. These include criminal investigator, homicide detective, Homeland Security agent, forensic psychologist, DEA agent, forensic accountant, forensic science technician, FBI agent, or Secret Service agent, among others.
How much can you make with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in criminal justice?
A graduate of a Bachelor of Criminal justice earns $64,000 on average. Depending on the specific role the graduate of a Master of Science in Criminal justice chooses, they may earn $57,000 on average. Some working for Citibank earn up to $125,000, while some with this degree who are working for Raytheon Co., they may earn up to $106,000.
What is the highest paying job in criminal justice?
Lawyers who earned a criminal justice degree earn around $163,000. Their education and training covers all levels of the justice system, from small claims court up to the largest of the national trials.
What do you need to teach in criminal justice?
Criminal justice professors must have the right level of education to get their foot in the door. Specifically, that usually means a master’s degree. However, those who wish to rise to the highest academic levels usually earn a PhD. This lets them head an entire department and/or conduct research in the field.
Are there tuition discounts for active military or law enforcement personnel?
While service members and former service members may be able to turn to the GI Bill for their educational expenses, this may not be sufficient for their needs. They are able to qualify for financial aid to make up the rest of their expenses, such as the yellow ribbon program. Law enforcement personnel and first responders will often find that schools, businesses, and programs offer a variety of military-specific scholarships and grants to help cover their tuition and school-related expenses.

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