In this article, we profile the 30 best online criminal justice degree programs at some of the top-ranked institutions.
An online bachelor’s in criminal justice can open the door to entry-level employment in:
- corrections
- law enforcement
- the court system
Programs are available at public and private colleges and universities. They’re designed to prepare students for long-term careers as criminal justice professionals. Some programs even prepare students for law school or enrollment in a graduate criminal justice degree program.
Methodology
We examined approximately 120 top institutions that offer at least one online bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice, criminology, or related discipline. From our list, we reviewed institution rankings from major publications like Forbes magazine, The Princeton Review, and U.S. News and World Report. We selected the most affordable schools based on NCES College Navigator’s published undergraduate tuition rate. The school with the most affordable tuition is ranked #1 on our list.
Below are the resulting selections for our top 30 best online bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice.
#30 – University of the Cumberlands
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Williamsburg, Kentucky
Undergraduate tuition: $21,000
The University of the Cumberlands offers an online BS in criminal justice degree program. It helps prepare students for careers in corrections and various criminal justice fields. The program is entirely online and set up for adult learners who have transferrable credits. Students may transfer up to 90 hours worth of college credit. This helps decrease the required completion time for the degree. Classes focus on:
- cultural factors that impact consumers of the criminal justice system
- critical skills needed to work with deviant populations
- roles society and law enforcement play in response to deviant behavior
University of the Cumberlands is regionally ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 87th best regional university in the South. Other rankings include #164 out of 1,200 for best online bachelor’s programs. It is #17 for best online graduate criminal justice programs, for those who choose to continue their education.
#29 – Saint Leo University
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Online
Saint Leo, Florida
Undergraduate tuition: $20,830
The School of Education and Social Service at Saint Leo University offers an accredited online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It prepares students for graduate school or careers in criminal justice administration and leadership. Required courses include:
- criminal behavior
- criminal procedure
- ethics
- police organization and administration
- substantive criminal law
- the law and the legal system
The program adheres to Saint Leo’s Catholic tradition. It follows the criminal justice model that recognizes dignity, value, and the gifts of all people. Saint Leo is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 71st best regional university in the South. The online bachelor’s programs rank #43 out of approximately 1,200.
#28 – Concordia University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Undergraduate tuition: $20,750
Concordia University offers an accredited online bachelor’s in criminal justice program. It’s for professionals who want to improve their skill sets and advance their careers. The program is offered entirely online and provides an opportunity for busy students to balance school with work and life obligations. Required courses include:
- contemporary issues in criminal justice
- criminal justice portfolio
- diversity in criminal justice
- inside the criminal mind
- philosophy of value and ethics
- systems thinking in criminal justice
Concordia is a regionally ranked institution, according to major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 99th best regional university in the Midwest. Other rankings include #79 for best online bachelor’s programs and #36 for best online graduate criminal justice programs.
#27 – Liberty University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Lynchburg, Virginia
Undergraduate tuition: $20,109
Liberty University offers an accredited online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with seven available areas of specialization. Students may specialize their criminal justice studies in:
- business administration and management
- criminal psychology
- crime scene investigation
- homeland security
- juvenile justice
- public administration
- strategic intelligence
Required courses include:
- criminal justice research and writing
- introduction to criminal justice
- judicial process
- juvenile justice
- terrorism
U.S. News and World Report ranks Liberty University as the 80th best regional university in the South. The online bachelor’s programs rank #100 out of 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #35.
#26 – Faulkner University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Montgomery, Alabama
Undergraduate tuition: $19,280
Faulkner University offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree. It’s designed for pre-law students and those wanting to pursue careers in:
- corrections
- law enforcement
- private security
Required courses include:
- criminal law
- criminology
- juvenile justice
- special issues in criminal justice
Students may select between a fully online program and hybrid learning. Six and eight-week modules are available, depending on the course. Faulkner is regionally ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the 2016 edition of Best Colleges ranks the school as the 54th best regional college in the South. The online bachelor’s programs rank #209 out of approximately 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #10 in the country.
#25 – Monroe College
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Bronx, New York
Undergraduate tuition: $14,148
Monroe College is a proprietary school founded in the early 1990s. The school offers various online degree programs at the undergraduate level. For those interested in a pre-law program or preparation for a career in law enforcement, an online bachelor’s in criminal justice is available. The program provides an in-depth study of issues and trends seen in today’s criminal justice system. All classes are administered online. Required fieldwork can be in a criminal justice facility located near the student’s geographic location. Monroe is a regionally ranked institution by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. The school’s online bachelor’s degree programs rank #120 out of 1,200 similar programs. For those interested in ongoing education, the online graduate criminal justice program ranks #24.
#24 – Herzing University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Madison, Wisconsin
Undergraduate tuition: $13,090
Herzing University is a private, non-profit school that offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. Courses are administered entirely online with flexible schedule options. The program is designed for working students who want the balance between education and work-life obligations. Required courses include:
- criminal law
- criminal psychology
- ethics in law enforcement
- evidence forensics
- juvenile justice
- law enforcement security
Two areas of specialization are available to those who want to focus their studies on a particular area of interest:
- homeland security
- supervision and management
According to U.S. News and World Report, Herzing’s online bachelor’s programs rank #79 out of 1,200.
#23 – Washington State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Pullman, Washington
Undergraduate tuition: $11,967
Washington State University offers an affordable online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed for busy students who want to balance work and life obligations with higher education. WSU’s criminal justice program was founded in the 1940s. It’s one of the oldest criminal justice programs in the nation. Course requirements include:
- crime control policies
- criminal law
- criminal procedure
- introduction to criminological theory
- introduction to the administration of criminal justice
WSU is a nationally ranked institution according to Forbes magazine and U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 140th best national university and the 71st top public school. The online bachelor’s programs rank #34 out of 1,200.
#22 – Colorado Technical University
Online BS in Criminal Justice
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Undergraduate tuition: $11,656
Colorado Technical University offers an affordable online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed for busy students who require flexible learning. The program prepares students to work in professional criminal justice settings and leadership positions. Aside from the general concentration, students may focus their studies in:
- cybercrime and security
- forensic investigation
- homeland security and emergency management
- human services
Colorado Tech’s online bachelor’s programs are ranked #63 out of 1,200 in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 edition of Best Colleges. The school’s online graduate criminal justice program ranks #23 in the nation.
#21 – University of Cincinnati
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Cincinnati, Ohio
Undergraduate tuition: $11,000
The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services at University of Cincinnati offers an affordable online criminal justice program. Core classes include:
- introduction to courts
- introduction to criminal justice
- introduction to criminology
Additional courses may include:
- corrections in America
- juvenile justice system
- legal issues in corrections
- politics of criminal justice
- women and crime
The University of Cincinnati is a nationally ranked institution. U.S. News and World Report lists the school as the 140th best national university in the country. Additional rankings include #195 out of 1,200 for best online bachelor’s programs and #14 for best online graduate criminal justice programs.
#20 – University of Louisville
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Louisville, Kentucky
Undergraduate tuition: $10,744
The University of Louisville offers an affordable online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed for students who want flexible learning options. Students must complete a minimum of 50 hours at the 300-course level. Core requirements include:
- corrections in the United States
- crime and justice in the nation
- law enforcement
300-level courses include topics in:
- criminal behavior
- criminal procedure
- quantitative analysis
- research design
Opportunities to join national and professional organizations are available to online students. In fact, many students become active members in the American Society of Criminology and the Kentucky Association of Chief’s Police. The university is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 168th best national institution in the country.
#19 – Arizona State University
Online BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Tempe, Arizona
Undergraduate tuition: $10,158
Arizona State University offers an affordable online BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program. TIt’s designed to provide flexible online options for busy adult students who want to advance in positions in:
- law enforcement
- corrections
- criminal justice
Courses include:
- community relations in the justice system
- criminal justice crime control policies and practices
- introduction to criminal justice
- introduction to policing, juvenile justice
- substantive criminal law,
- white-collar crime
ASU is a nationally ranked institution, according to Forbes magazine and U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 129th best national university. The online bachelor’s programs rank #11 out of approximately 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #2 in the country.
#18 – California University of Pennsylvania
Online BS in Criminal Justice: Homeland and International Security
California, Pennsylvania
Undergraduate tuition: $9,936
California University of Pennsylvania offers an affordable online BS in criminal justice degree program. IT can be completed in as few as 16 months. Specialized courses include:
- criminal intelligence analysis
- executive protection
- international security
- military criminal justice
Classes are taught by faculty members who have received academic credentials and recognitions. Some classes are taught by Fulbright recipients and former authors or retired military personnel. The university has received regional rankings, according to U.S. News and World Report. The school’s online bachelor’s programs rank #111 out of 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #37 in the nation.
#17 – Western Kentucky University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminology
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Undergraduate tuition: $9,482
Western Kentucky University offers an online bachelor’s degree in criminology program. It prepares students for work in:
- corrections
- criminal justice
- law enforcement
- probation
Graduates have entered management roles in various criminal justice settings or gone on to law school. Core requirements include:
- criminology
- introduction to criminal justice
- juvenile delinquency
- social deviance
- strategies of social research
Approved electives may include:
- constitutional law
- introduction to law enforcement
- political terrorism
The university is regionally ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 31st best regional institution in the South. The school also offers the 3rd best online bachelor’s program and the 12th best online graduate criminal justice program in the nation.
#16 – University of Colorado
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Denver, Colorado
Undergraduate tuition: $8,692
The University of Colorado’s CU Online offers an affordable online criminal justice bachelor’s degree. It’s designed for students who need to balance and maintain personal, work, and school responsibilities. Students may elect to focus their studies on specific areas of interest like:
- corrections
- courts and pre-law
- juvenile justice
- law enforcement
- victim services
Online criminal justice courses include:
- criminology and criminal justice overview
- domestic violence and crime
- special topics in criminal justice
- statistics for criminal justice
UC-Denver is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 199th best national university. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #12 in the nation.
#15 – Colorado State University Global Campus
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Undergraduate tuition: $8,400
Colorado State University’s Global Campus offers an affordable online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed for students who enjoy research and investigating problems. Classes are delivered entirely online, and students may work at their own pace. Required courses include:
- criminal justice and the constitution
- ethics for the criminal justice professional
- fundamentals of law
- laws of evidence
- research methods for the criminal justice professional
Colorado State is a nationally ranked institution according to Forbes and U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 127th best national university and the 61st top public institution. The online bachelor’s programs rank #86 out of 1,200.
#14 – Columbia College
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Administration
Columbia, Missouri
Undergraduate tuition: $8,240
Columbia College offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice administration program. It prepares students for entry-level careers in the field. It also provides opportunities for promotion into leadership roles and graduate school. Core classes include:
- corrections and penology
- cultural diversity in criminal justice
- introduction to criminal justice administration
- management of criminal justice agencies
- police in a democratic society
Columbia College’s bachelor’s degree programs are ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges. Out of approximately 1,200 programs, Columbia’s online bachelor’s programs rank #106. The school’s online graduate criminal justice program ranks #6 in the nation.
#13 – Portland State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Portland, Oregon
Undergraduate tuition: $8,034
Portland State University offers an affordable online bachelor’s degree program in criminology and criminal justice. It’s designed for working adults who want to excel in their criminal justice career path. Core coursework includes:
- crime analysis
- crime control strategies
- criminal law and reasoning
- criminology and criminal justice
- punishment and corrections
The program emphasizes the use of contemporary tools such as crime mapping and evidence-based crime control. Portland State is a nationally ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 edition of Best Colleges ranks the university as the 16th most innovative school. The online bachelor’s degree programs received tier 2 recognition in previous years.
#12 – Sam Houston State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
Undergraduate tuition: $7,618
Sam Houston State University’s College of Criminal Justice offers an online criminal justice degree program. It’s for students who require flexible schedules to accommodate family and career obligations. According to the program’s website, popular courses include:
- criminal investigation
- cyber crime
- forensic science
- global terrorism
- victimology
- violent offenders
- white-collar crime
Program length is 120 credit hours with an internship requirement that may be satisfied during the student’s senior year. Sam Houston State is a nationally ranked institution. The school’s online bachelor’s programs rank #72 out of 1,200 in the 2016 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #3 in the nation.
#11 – University of Wisconsin
Online BS in Criminal Justice
Platteville, Wisconsin
Undergraduate tuition: $7,488
The University of Wisconsin offers an affordable online BS in criminal justice program that is designed to fit the busy lifestyles of working adults. Courses are delivered entirely online with semester-based schedules flexible to fit busy schedules. Online courses include:
- correctional philosophy
- criminal investigation
- introduction to criminal justice
- juvenile justice
- patterns of criminal and delinquent behavior
- police administration
- The University of Wisconsin is regionally ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 83rd best regional university in the Midwest and the 26th top public school. The online bachelor’s programs rank #49 out of approximately 1,200.
#10 – Southeast Missouri State University
Online BS in Criminal Justice
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Undergraduate tuition: $6,990
Southeast Missouri State University offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice that is both accredited and affordable. The online degree program requires a total of 45 hours with 30 hours of core courses and 15 hours of electives. Students are required to choose one elective category to focus their studies. Three elective categories include:
- corrections
- criminology
- law enforcement
Core courses include:
- criminal law
- crisis management and conflict resolution
- issues in justice administration
- statistics for social scientists
U.S. News and World Report ranks Southeast Missouri State as the 92nd best regional university in the Midwest. Additional rankings include:
- #30 for top public schools
- #58 for best online bachelor’s programs
- #24 for best online graduate criminal justice programs.
#9 – University of Nebraska – Omaha
Online BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Omaha, Nebraska
Undergraduate tuition: $6,898
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers an affordable online BS in criminology and criminal justice degree program. It’s focused on preparing students for careers in the criminal justice and corrections fields. Required courses include:
- criminal court system
- police and society
- research methods of criminal justice
- survey of criminal justice
Students must also take a minimum of three credit hours of statistics and 18 hours of a concentration area. In some instances, a minor may satisfy the concentration area requirement. The University of Nebraska is nationally ranked by U.S. News and World Report. The online bachelor’s programs rank #17 out of 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #18.
#8 – University of Nebraska – Kearney
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Kearney, Nebraska
Undergraduate tuition: $6,711
The University of Nebraska at Kearney offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed for working students with an associate’s degree who want to pursue advanced skills in criminology. The program offers an intensive internship near the student’s geographic location. There is no need to travel to satisfy degree requirements. Courses include:
- correctional services and systems
- criminal evidence and the procedure of courts
- criminal justice research methods
- introduction to criminal justice
- theories of crime and criminal law
The Kearney campus ranks #46 among the best regional universities in the Midwest, according to U.S. News and World Report.
#7 – California State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
San Bernardino, California
Undergraduate tuition: $6,577
California State University offers an accredited online BA in criminal justice that’s designed to fit the needs of working students. Before enrollment in the program, students must have completed two introductory criminal justice classes. These include criminal law and introduction to the criminal justice system. Required core courses include:
- correctional theory and institutions
- integrative studies in criminal justice
- statistics in criminal justice
- theories of crime and delinquency
California State is a regionally ranked public university. U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 69th best regional university in the West. For students planning to enroll in graduate school, U.S. News ranks the university’s online graduate criminal justice program #27 in the nation.
#6 – Florida International University
Online BS in Criminal Justice
Miami, Florida
Undergraduate tuition: $6,556
The School of International and Public Affairs offers an accredited online BS in criminal justice degree program that’s designed to accommodate working and busy students. According to the program website, every online student at the undergraduate level is paired with a success coach. This coach assists students with:
- courses
- schedule accommodation
- career or graduate school planning
The program requires 24 total credits of core courses, which include:
- comparative criminal justice systems
- criminal justice and public policy
- criminological theory
The school’s online bachelor’s programs rank #100 out of 1,200, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 edition of Best Colleges. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #21 in the nation.
#5 – Florida State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminology
Tallahassee, Florida
Undergraduate tuition: $6,507
Florida State University offers an affordable online criminology degree program. It follows the same pattern as the on-campus criminology program. Classes are taught by faculty members who routinely teach on campus. The program prepares students for graduate school or entry-level employment in various related fields. To graduate, students must complete a total of 36 semester hours in criminology and satisfy the oral competency requirement. Florida State University is nationally ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News lists the institution as the 96th best national university and the 43rd top public school.
#4 – University of Central Florida
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Orlando, Florida
Undergraduate tuition: $6,368
The University of Central Florida’s College of Health and Public Affairs offers an affordable online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. It’s designed for working students. Curriculum prepares students for graduate school or positions in the criminal justice field. Core classes include:
- crime in America
- criminal justice systems
- data analysis for criminal justice
- police and society
- prosecution and adjudication
- research methods in criminal justice
Online electives may include such topics as:
- crime and place
- criminal sentencing
- cultural diversity and criminal justice
- drugs and crime
- risk management in criminal justice and private security
The University of Central Florida is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 168th best national university. The school’s online bachelor’s programs rank #20 out of 1,200. The online graduate criminal justice program ranks #21.
#3 – University of Alaska
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Fairbanks, Alaska
Undergraduate tuition: $5,674
The University of Alaska’s Justice Department offers an affordable online bachelor’s in criminal justice program. It covers the fundamentals of:
- corrections
- courts
- law
- policing
Students gain skills and understanding through online courses designed to prepare them with exposure to:
- addictive processes
- criminology
- procedural law
- research related to criminal justice
Courses include:
- ethics and justice
- introduction to addictive processes
- introduction to justice
- police problems
- rural justice in Alaska
The university is ranked as the 522nd best global university, according to U.S. News and World Report. Also ranked are the online programs. In fact, U.S. News lists the online bachelor’s programs #164 out of 1,200.
#2 – Fayetteville State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Undergraduate tuition: $4,885
Fayetteville State University offers an affordable online criminal justice degree program. It’s designed to prepare students for employment in various criminal justice settings. Major courses offered online include:
- criminal justice research
- criminological theory
- seminars in criminal justice
Online electives include:
- criminal law
- prisons and society
- special problems in criminal justice criminology
- white-collar crime
Fayetteville State is a regionally ranked institution, according to U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 84th best regional university in the South. The school’s online graduate criminal justice program ranks #33 in the nation.
#1 – Fort Hays State University
Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Hays, Kansas
Undergraduate tuition: $4,654
Fort Hays State University offers an online bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program. It’s designed to prepare students to enter various careers related to:
- criminal justice agencies
- court administration institutions
- government agencies
The program also prepares students to enter Fort Hays’ master’s degree program in criminal justice. Course requirements include:
- criminology
- introduction to criminal justice
- justice in the information age
- police systems and practices
- workshops in justice studies
Fort Hays State’s online bachelor’s programs are ranked #24 out of 1,200 by U.S. News and World Report.
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