At a Glance: This Year's Top Online Criminal Justice Programs
#1: Mercer University — Offers flexible, self-paced courses and personalized support, making it ideals for full-time working students.
#2: Concordia University Wisconsin — You'll get paired with an academic and career advisor that'll offer personalized support until you graduate.
Criminal justice programs can help you develop a strong understanding of the American legal system, court proceedings, and the origins of criminal activity.
This foundation can prepare you for a wide variety of roles — from supporting victims to conducting investigations or navigating the court system.
If this field interests you, explore our guide to the best online criminal justice degree programs, selected based on factors such as student outcomes, affordability, and ease of admissions.
Start Your Criminal Justice Journey Today
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart, prioritizing factors like flexibility, faculty expertise, and online student resources. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in August 2025.
Why You Should Get a Criminal Justice Degree
Gain a Versatile Skill Set: During your studies, you'll gain valuable interpersonal, analytical, and research skills that can prepare you for a range of law enforcement and legal support roles.
Qualify for Many Roles: With this degree, you can pursue a career as a loss prevention investigator, private detective, federal wildlife officer, and fraud analyst, among many others.
Make an Impact: Whether you're supporting victims, working in policy, or helping enforce the law, your degree can prepare you to make a positive impact in the community you serve.
Benefits of Getting a Criminal Justice Degree Online
According to the BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 90% of online program graduates say their degree has or will have a positive return on investment.
Nearly all (98%) of all students surveyed — current, prospective, and graduates — say they would recommend online education to others.
76% of online college students and program graduates consider an online learning environment to be equal to or better than learning on campus .
How to Choose the Best Criminal Justice Program for You
Before you apply to criminal justice schools, carefully consider the cost, financial aid options, program length, and application requirements to ensure you enroll in a program that fits your needs.
How Much Does an Online Criminal Justice Degree Cost?
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$10,121
Avg. Net Price
$4,887
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees
$19,628
Avg. Net Price
$9,175
Source: NCES PowerStats
According to theNational Center for Education Statistics (NCES), you'll pay around $10,000 per year for an online bachelor's in law and legal studies, which includes criminal justice programs. On the other hand, on-campus programs usually cost over $19,000 per year.
Keep in mind that these programs take four years to complete if you're a full-time student — part-time students may take an additional year or more to graduate.
Fortunately, financial aid can lower the cost of tuition for many students. For instance, those with financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, paid around $5,000 per year for their online programs.
Find Financial Aid for Your Criminal Justice Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice?
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
You'll usually spend four years earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, earning around 120 credits.
If you've earned some college credits previously, perhaps from an associate degree program, you may be able to transfer them and graduate faster.
Criminal Justice Program Application Requirements
The application requirements for a bachelor's degree in criminal justice usually include:
Application form and fee
High school diploma or equivalent
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Minimum 2.0 GPA
ACT or SAT scores (if applicable)
What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
With a bachelor's in criminal justice, you can work in law enforcement, corrections facilities, and the court system. Common roles you can pursue include correctional officer or bailiff, forensic science technician, private detective, or paralegal, among other roles.
Some of these roles are experiencing a faster-than-average growth rate. For example, forensic science technician jobs are expected to grow by 11% or higher through 2034, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations (3%).
However, paralegal roles are projected to show little or no change (0%) through 2034, and correctional officers are expected to decline by 7% through 2034.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional officer | $55,420 | Oversees the custody and safety of imprisoned people |
| Bailiff | $55,360 | Maintains order and safety in courtrooms |
| Forensic Science Technician | $64,980 | Helps solve crimes by gathering and analyzing evidence in labs and at crime scenes |
| Private Detective or Investigator | $52,370 | Investigates theft, fraud, and various other legal and personal issues |
| Paralegal or legal assistant | $61,010 | Works to assist lawyers by drafting legal documents, conducting research, and investigating cases |
Learn More About Criminal Justice Jobs
Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worth It?
A criminal justice degree can be worthwhile if you're interested in a career in law enforcement or a related field.
You'll study the criminal justice system, including investigations, evidence collection, court proceedings, and corrections.
This knowledge can prepare you for a career in forensics, law enforcement, and legal support, with average salaries ranging from $52,000 to $65,000 per year.
While some of these roles offer only modest pay, many provide job security, opportunities for advancement, and a variety of career paths. This makes a criminal justice degree a solid choice for those interested in public service and the legal system.
Education Beyond a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
After earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, you can pursue a master's in criminal justice or a master's in forensic science to prepare you for senior roles such as a police supervisor, prison warden, or victim's advocate.
You could also earn a master's in forensic science to work as a crime laboratory supervisor, forensic chemist, forensic chemist, forensic laboratory director, or crime scene investigator.
No matter what graduate program you choose, a master's degree can open the door to both more specialized positions and higher earning potential in the criminal justice field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Criminal Justice Schools
Some online criminal justice programs, such as those at Georgia State University and Monroe University, require in-person internships where you'll gain hands-on experience in settings like police agencies or correctional facilities. However, many do not.
