Criminal justice is an area of study that provides endless career opportunities. If you are determined to involve yourself in law enforcement, homeland security, criminal law, the FBI, CIA, or other government agencies, then this is definitely the field of study you’ll want to enter into.
Criminal justice is an ever-changing field that requires high levels of logical reasoning and a strong criminal justice field background. So it only makes sense that you’d want to start learn more by obtaining a criminal justice degree from a trustworthy, first-rate higher education institution.
Online Criminal Justice Programs For You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Finding the right programs may seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of resources out there to help you. Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the most affordable online schools for criminal justice degrees.
Not only will the programs that these schools offer afford you flexibility in your schedule, but they’re also designed to provide top-of-the-line, real-world experience that will push you toward becoming the best in your field and obtaining long-term career success.
Methodology
All schools considered for these rankings
- Are regionally or nationally accredited
- Offer at least one fully online criminal justice degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
- Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.
Schools are ranked solely by the average net price according to the IPEDs database.
Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| #1 | Georgia Highlands College | $6,574 |
| #2 | Fayetteville State University | $6,969 |
| #3 | Louisiana State University-Alexandria | $7,301 |
| #4 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | $8,961 |
| #5 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $10,792 |
| #6 | Columbia Southern University | $11,241 |
| #7 | Clayton State University | $11,663 |
| #8 | Lamar University | $11,739 |
| #9 | Georgia Southwestern State University | $11,831 |
| #10 | Minot State University | $12,205 |
| #11 | Fort Hays State University | $13,189 |
| #12 | Valdosta State University | $13,240 |
| #13 | University of the Cumberlands | $13,476 |
| #14 | Fort Valley State University | $13,509 |
| #15 | Western Carolina University | $13,924 |
| #16 | Arkansas State University | $14,189 |
| #17 | Wichita State University | $14,859 |
| #18 | Georgia Southern University | $15,571 |
| #19 | Metropolitan State University | $16,044 |
| #20 | Kennesaw State University | $18,522 |
| #21 | Tarleton State University | $20,307 |
| #22 | Ohio University-Main Campus | $23,831 |
Most Affordable Colleges for Online Criminal Justice Degree
1. Georgia Highlands College
Average Net Price: $6,574
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Georgia Highlands College has five separate locations in the state of Georgia, allowing them to accommodate its rapidly-growing population of students. GHC was founded in 1970 and now provides an outstanding education to more than 6,000 students in total. These students pursue both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, both in-person and online. Georgia Highlands also has an open admissions policy that admits students with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
As far as criminal justice degrees go, GHC provides a highly distinguished online criminal justice degree program. Remote students who wish to pursue a career in this field can advance in studies of criminal behavior, criminal investigation, forensic science, and more, all from the comfort of their own homes. Georgia Highlands also holds SACS COC accreditation and prides itself in providing an education for all criminal justice online students, helping them thrive in both their academic and criminal justice professional careers.
2. Fayetteville State University
Average Net Price: $6,969
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Fayetteville State University is located in beautiful Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1867, Fayetteville State has educated thousands and maintains a current enrollment of over 6,700 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. This allows students one-on-one instruction and a highly personalized educational experience. FSU offers a wide range of college degrees, both online and in-person. At the average cost of $5,858, online students can obtain a fully-accredited criminal justice degree. Criminal justice students have the opportunity to complete courses such as media and crime; race, class, and gender in criminal justice; and restorative justice.
Fayetteville is a non-profit, SACS COC-accredited school with an acceptance rate of 68%. The school’s online platform offers students the chance to finish upper-division courses virtually before graduating, but also requires them to complete core curriculum elsewhere before applying to the online program. The university graduates 57% of its students, and those who graduate with a criminal justice degree often go on to become probation officers, crime scene investigators, police officers, or forensic accountants.
3. Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Average Net Price: $7,301
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Established in 1959, Louisiana State University at Alexandria is a public institution that operates in affiliation with the Louisiana Board of Regents. Since 2015, LSUA has offered a variety of 100% online undergraduate degrees. With a 31% acceptance rate, admissions are relatively competitive and the university itself upholds high expectations for its students. LSUA aims to help students from all walks of life, which is why they offer over 80 easily accessible and highly affordable online degrees and certificates.
LSUA offers two fully online Bachelor’s degrees for criminal justice major students. One is a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, which includes criminal justice field study of criminal justice administration, forensics, criminology, private and industrial security, and security management.
4. Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $8,961
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Since Eastern New Mexico University’s founding 85 years ago, the institution has been committed to generating more beneficial and comprehensive post-secondary education and designing a colorful academic culture for its student body. This is why the university offers over 90 programs and 1,200 courses to choose from, as well as an acceptance rate of 60% and a student satisfaction rate of 97%.
One of Eastern New Mexico’s top undergraduate programs is their criminal justice degree. NMU assists criminal justice undergraduates by preparing them for social sciences and criminal justice system careers such as police officers, other law enforcement officers, victim advocacy, public administration, and a variety of other specializations. To ensure all online program students gain comprehensive real-world experience, students are required to take part in a field internship upon completion of their online courses. This invaluable hands-on practice pushes NMU students ahead in terms of serviceable skill development and overall career preparedness.
5. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Average Net Price: $10,792
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 91%
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was founded in 1887 with the mission to empower each individual student and enable them to excel in life. Today, it is home to over 8,200 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1. UNCP also offers 41 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs, so students can be sure they’re on the right academic track for their chosen careers. The university instills critical thinking skills within each of its students, encouraging them to become responsible citizens both in an academic and personal sense.
If you enjoy a stimulating classroom experience but your schedule doesn’t allow in-person attendance, UNCP has developed the ideal online platform for you. Among the school’s many distinguished online programs is the criminal justice degree, which requires that, before a student graduates with an online degree in criminal justice, they’ll have obtained the proper hands-on learning experience. Internship opportunities prepare students to think more analytically and critically about their environment, which is essential in the field of criminal justice. Students also have the option of obtaining concentrations in sociology, which gives them a leg-up in their chosen career field upon graduation.
6. Columbia Southern University
Average Net Price: $11,241
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: DEAC
Acceptance Rate: Open Admissions
Columbia Southern University was originally established in 1993 as a fully-online institution. Today, the college educates more than 31,000 total students and offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate-level degrees. CSU is an open admissions university and holds accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Columbia Southern ultimately works to change individual lives by holding students to its high standards of humility, excellence, and relationship.
The university provides a wide variety of online degree and justice studies programs, enabling virtual students to pursue any number of career options. One of the school’s highly distinguished programs is its criminal justice degree, which is optimally designed for entry-level students and professionals seeking to earn both master’s or bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. Columbia Southern University offers an expansive online platform for criminal justice students pursuing concentrations in arson investigation, forensics, and more.
7. Clayton State University
Average Net Price: $11,663
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Clayton State University was first established in 1969 in the sunny city of Morrow, Georgia. In 2019, the school was named #4 among the most affordable online bachelor’s degrees, according to the SR Education Group. Though average tuition costs $11,160, the high-quality education offered is well worth the cost. CSU values students’ time and prioritizes their needs first, which is why they maintain a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1.
The university offers a criminal justice degree delivered completely online. To help students become well-rounded citizens, core classes in subjects like psychology, history, and political science are offered to students pursuing any type of degree. Although online, Clayton State affords students the opportunity to participate in collaborative internships and real-world learning experiences with other criminal justice professionals. Not only does this hands-on aspect enable students to participate fully in the criminal justice field, but it also grants them access to self-marketing events and career-building practice.
8. Lamar University
Average Net Price: $11,739
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Lamar University is located in the heart of Beaumont, Texas, and is the fastest-growing college in the state. Lamar knows that finding your passion can be difficult, and that’s why they offer 139 distinguished degree programs to choose from. With an average tuition of $12,967, the university is on the more expensive side. However, with the higher cost, students receive a higher return on their educational investment.
Lamar University’s online criminal justice degree is unlike any other, allowing students to transfer work and training experience directly into academic credits. You’ll have the chance to take courses in social theory, the psychology of social interaction, the judicial process, and more. You may even be able to take part in one of the university’s multiple internship opportunities and receive individualized support throughout your degree program, all of which will ensure you the highest measure of academic and professional success.
9. Georgia Southwestern State University
Average Net Price: $11,831
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is a state-funded school located in Americus, Georgia. Despite its small size with 1,683 undergraduate students according to Niche, GSW ranks 48th in the nation for top public schools according to US News. Admissions at GSSU are lightly competitive with an acceptance rate of 73%. Popular majors at Georgia Southwestern include accounting, business, and nursing. With a graduation rate of 36%, GSW students often use the school as a stepping stone to jumpstart their education and go on to earn an average starting salary of $29,400.
Georgia Southwestern State University is a world-class institute of learning that offers a broad array of degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level. Among this array is their criminal justice bachelor’s program. This Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree helps prepare students to find successful and impactful employment within the criminal justice system at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Some students even use this degree to become corrections officers, juvenile justice workers, probation and bail bond’s enforcers, and much more.
10. Minot State University
Average Net Price: $12,205
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Located in North Dakota, Minot State University has a mission to provide an excellent education through a rigorous curriculum and a commitment to public service. Minot State University has a 69% acceptance rate and a 45% graduation rate, of those who graduate 90% are employed or continuing their education. MSU is an accredited school by the Higher Commission of Learning.
Minot State University has made it possible for students to complete their criminal justice degree all online. They want you to be the best in your career which is why they prepare you for an always-changing career. Therefore they offer stimulating courses around topics like psychopathy of offenders, prisoner reentry, and police officer use of force. Students who graduate with a criminal justice degree at MSU have an average entry-level salary of $50,000.
