Online Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice - Best of 2024

Get Matched With Criminal Justice Colleges

Overview of a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice & Law

The world needs people who can fight crime and ensure that justice is served. It also needs people who care about others and who are willing to help those people who have made mistakes turn their lives around. There are many professions where one can do one or the other, but after completing an online or on-campus bachelor's in criminal justice degree program, a person is trained to do both.

Criminal justice sounds like “lock up the bad guys”, but there is much more to it than that. Those who work in the criminal justice system also have a sense of duty to help those who have made mistakes rectify the situation and improve their own lives to ensure they don’t end up on the wrong side of the law again. Criminal justice majors work with both the “law” and the “order” side of the justice system in a variety of ways.

An online, on-campus, or hybrid (online and in-person) bachelor’s degree in criminal justice prepares students to work in a variety of positions. Criminal justice majors are not pigeonholed into work as law enforcement officials or correction officers, they can work in a variety of fields and in many circumstances. Criminal justice professionals can help prevent crime and illegal activities just as easily as they can investigate after the criminal act has happened or find themselves working as forensic science technicians far from any crime scene. Here are just a few of the role options for criminal justice graduates once they join the criminal justice system and enter a career in law enforcement:

Probation Officers
Correctional Officers
Correctional Treatment Specialists
Juvenile Justice Probation Officers
Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement or criminal justice agencies, such as with the FBI or Department of Homeland Security
Police Officers
Private Detective and Investigators
Private Security
Forensic Science Technicians
Crime Scene Investigators or Technicians
Emergency Management Professionals
Or criminal justice professionals may opt for further criminal justice education, such as in law school or to gain leadership or policy-creation positions in the criminal justice field at the national level with a master's degree

Compare Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs

All degrees have their pros and cons, even bachelor's degrees. Prospective students must take everything into consideration and determine if going back to school (or spending their free time off work taking online courses) and studying criminal justice is the right path for them. Here are some things for you to consider.

PROS

A bachelor’s degree in a criminal justice program will make you more marketable when it’s time to search for jobs. People with degrees are often hired over those without degrees, and those completing bachelor's degree programs (even online programs) will be hired over those with an associate degree. If you can combine an online degree with experience, even better.
Higher salary. Not only are those with degrees often picked over those without a formal education, but they can also command a higher salary.
These days, a Bachelor of Science or Arts is usually considered an entry-level degree in most fields.
More room for advancement and job growth. With a degree, advancement opportunities into management, administrative positions, or higher ranks become available.

CONS

The Expense - College tuition is not cheap. Whether you take out student loans or not, college is a serious financial commitment.
Time Considerations - Although most programs are designed to last four years, if you are saving up to take classes so you won’t have student loans, this could extend the amount of time you need to complete your degree.
It’s a balancing act - If you have a job, a family, or other obligations, finding the time to attend classes, do required reading, complete assignments and take exams could be challenging, though some students try to solve this by earning online degrees.

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Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Criminal Justice Programs

Charter Oak State College

Score: 86.46

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,506
- Out-of-State: $8,506
Net Price: $10,191
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 100%
Total Enrollment: 1,602
Undergrad Students: 1,501
Graduate Students: 101
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

San Diego State University

Score: 81.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State: $20,170
Net Price: $13,017
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 37,402
Undergrad Students: 32,194
Graduate Students: 5,208
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

University of South Florida

Score: 77.61

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

Indiana University-Bloomington

Score: 76.43

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State: $40,482
Net Price: $16,234
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 47,005
Undergrad Students: 35,660
Graduate Students: 11,345
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Central Florida

Score: 75.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State: $22,467
Net Price: $13,108
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 68,346
Undergrad Students: 58,662
Graduate Students: 9,684
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 29:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 75.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State: $35,396
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Florida International University

Score: 74.54

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

LeTourneau University

Score: 74.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State: $35,500
Net Price: $26,974
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 3,536
Undergrad Students: 3,350
Graduate Students: 186
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Arizona State University

Score: 72.71

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State: $32,193
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

University of Oklahoma-Norman

Score: 72.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,595
- Out-of-State: $26,665
Net Price: $22,601
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 28,308
Undergrad Students: 21,282
Graduate Students: 7,026
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Washington State University

Score: 72.35

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,997
- Out-of-State: $29,073
Net Price: $17,911
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 27,539
Undergrad Students: 22,612
Graduate Students: 4,927
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

Lewis University

Score: 71.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,882
- Out-of-State: $37,882
Net Price: $19,184
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 6,513
Undergrad Students: 3,933
Graduate Students: 2,580
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Score: 71.61

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,026
- Out-of-State: $22,626
Net Price: $13,025
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 65%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 11,306
Undergrad Students: 7,383
Graduate Students: 3,923
Grads Salary: $91,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

California State University-Sacramento

Score: 71.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,602
- Out-of-State: $19,482
Net Price: $11,596
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 31,818
Undergrad Students: 28,921
Graduate Students: 2,897
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 71.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,879
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $9,711
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 29,592
Undergrad Students: 24,191
Graduate Students: 5,401
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

University of Cincinnati

Score: 70.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State: $30,582
Net Price: $20,149
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 41,155
Undergrad Students: 29,663
Graduate Students: 11,492
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

St. Joseph's University-New York

Score: 70.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,535
- Out-of-State: $34,535
Net Price: $18,001
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 4,348
Undergrad Students: 3,556
Graduate Students: 792
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Marian University-Fond Du Lac

Score: 70.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,100
- Out-of-State: $39,100
Net Price: $22,554
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 3,701
Undergrad Students: 2,633
Graduate Students: 1,068
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

University of Washington-Tacoma

Score: 70.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,817
- Out-of-State: $42,171
Net Price: $10,680
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 4,794
Undergrad Students: 4,083
Graduate Students: 711
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

University of Mary

Score: 70.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,468
- Out-of-State: $21,468
Net Price: $18,369
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 3,652
Undergrad Students: 2,506
Graduate Students: 1,146
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

New Mexico State University

Score: 70.21

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,147
- Out-of-State: $25,271
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

The University of West Florida

Score: 70.15

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

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Score: 70.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,166
- Out-of-State: $27,166
Net Price: $26,757
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 83%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 9,959
Undergrad Students: 5,809
Graduate Students: 4,150
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Monroe College

Score: 70.04

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

Penn State World Campus

Score: 69.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,204
- Out-of-State: $15,204
Net Price: $19,551
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 13,979
Undergrad Students: 8,210
Graduate Students: 5,769
Grads Salary: $94,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Certificate vs. Bachelor's

What Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degrees are Available?

There are two types of online bachelor degrees a person studying criminal justice and law might attain: A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is focused on social services and sciences. Students will study criminology, but also social science classes such as psychology, sociology, and communications. Those considering counseling or social work could attain a BA in Criminal Justice. These degrees should be easy to complete online, since there is little hands-on learning.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is more scientifically based. Students will take forensics and other science classes along with the law enforcement and criminology courses. Investigators and analysts would benefit from a BS in Criminal Justice. These degrees might be easier to complete through a hybrid program rather than an online-only program because of hands-on science requirements.

Whether you attain a BA or BS may also be dictated by the type of college you attend. Liberal Arts colleges tend to award more BA degrees, while traditional colleges and universities often focus on BS degrees.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements can vary from one school to the next, but most schools, online and traditional, will require the following:

High school diploma, GED or Associate Degree in CJ completion
An acceptable score for either the ACT or SAT - The required exam and acceptable score are set by each school. If you have specific schools in mind, go over their admission requirements carefully
Transcripts from high school/GED or any college courses you’ve taken
Application

How long does it take to earn an Online Criminal Justice & Law Bachelor's?

An online bachelor’s degree is designed to take four years to complete. The first two years are usually general requirement courses that every college student takes, such as freshman English, biology, a foreign language, and physical education classes. The last two years are when you take the bulk of your major courses and complete any internships that might be required. Some students can finish in less than four years, by going to summer school, getting credit for work and life experience, or taking extra online or hybrid (online and in-person) courses. On the other hand, some students need more time to finish because of work or family obligations.

Get Matched With Criminal Justice Schools

Potential Careers in Criminal Justice & Law with a Bachelor’s

There’s a lot you can do with a criminal justice degree. From working in corrections and law enforcement, to investigating abuse or fraud; you can discover many career options that match your education.

Corrections Officer
Correction officers ensure the safe and efficient management of jail and prison populations. They are often the point of contact between prisoners and the administration They are also responsible for moving and transferring prisoners. Corrections officers can work in prisons of all kinds, from maximum security down to jails or detention centers.
Average Salary: $40,600
Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators determine whether deception has taken place in a given situation. They investigate embezzlement cases, insurance fraud, and identity theft to determine if there is a problem, and if so who is responsible. Investigators often travel, and sometimes their work takes them out of the country.
Average Salary: $61,900
Social Worker
Social workers are trained to investigate human interactions and determine if they’re normal or if there’s an issue that needs addressed. Social workers help people in sometimes bad situations improve their lives by offering guidance and programs. Social workers work for social service organizations, schools, and law enforcement agencies.
Average Salary: $48,000
Intelligence Analyst
Analysts work for government agencies and for companies with contracts looking for data breaches and investigating security threats. Most of the time, an analyst works from their own office, but there are times when going to a site for investigative purposes is required.
Average Salary: $70,600

Options to Advance

Once you’ve attained an online or traditional degree in criminal justice, advancing in your career depends on your career. For law enforcement officials, earning online certifications to move up in rank is common. Getting an online master’s in criminal justice is also an option for those who want to move into the administrative ranks. For those in the social service fields, getting a social worker’s license or a teaching certification is an option, and for those who want to either prosecute or defend, going to law school and becoming a lawyer is a goal to consider.

Choosing your path when it comes to a criminal justice major depends on a couple of factors. Do you want to help catch the bad guys, piece together the evidence used to find out the person who committed the illegal act, or do you want to work behind the scenes and make sure those who are fighting crime are doing so fairly and safely? These are things you need to consider, and all of them are viable options when it comes to a career in criminal justice.

Or maybe you want to go the social services route and help those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law correct their actions and get back on track. People are needed in both camps. Your assistance will be appreciated, however you choose to use your bachelors in criminal justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a criminal justice degree hard?

A criminal justice degree will require rigor, just like any other undergraduate degree. However, it will likely have nothing on any future field training you will need to complete if you wish to become a police officer or FBI agent. Most criminal justice degree courses are focused on ensuring that you understand the history of the criminal justice system in America and the concepts that undergird our current court and penal systems. This means a lot of reading, discussing, and writing about those topics, with little to no time spent on lab work or hands-on experiences until you choose which part of the field you are going to enter. So, if you are worried about needing to memorize details, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. If, instead, you are concerned about having to write papers on a myriad of subjects related to criminal justice, then you might want to take some time to brush up on your writing skills.

What majors other than criminal justice specifically might I be able to take and move into the criminal justice field?

While you could take a general criminal justice program and be ready to enter that field, you could choose instead to take a more focused degree that will provide you with more knowledge in a particular field, helping you to move into a higher level of that area within criminal justice right away. Some of your options include corrections, criminology, and police science, which will prepare you for roles in law enforcement and corrections before you ever step foot in the field. However, other options such as forensic science, pre-law or legal studies, and criminal psychology will put you on the path toward careers which fall into the realm of criminal justice but require much more base knowledge for you to find success.

Best Online Bachelors in Criminal Justice Degrees for 2024