Best Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs of 2025

Online criminal justice schools prepare undergraduates for many different roles. Read our page to find the best programs of the year.
Bernard Grant, Ph.D.
By
Edited by
Updated April 22, 2025
chevron-up
Why Trust BestColleges
  • graphs

    3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed

  • Phone

    6,000+ Users connected with programs every month

  • 300+ College and university partners

  • 40+ Expert reviewers

At a Glance: This Year’s Top Online Criminal Justice Programs

  • #1: Mercer University — The university offers service-based learning and field experiences designed for working adults.
  • #2: Concordia University Wisconsin — The university offers two concentrations in leadership and management of criminal justice.

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 and working in juvenile justice 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.

Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site
Loading...
Loading...Learn More
Visit Site

Top Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
chevron-down

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

BestColleges Top-Ranked-2025 Badge2025
  • Affordability (30%)
  • Student outcomes (30%)
  • Reputation (20%)
  • Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

#1

Mercer University

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

$33,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

35%

Online Enrollment

Why We Chose This School

Mercer University's criminal justice program promotes service-based learning and field experiences. Plus you'll take classes like criminal law, criminology, and issues in juvenile delinquencies. 

The program is designed for busy working adults, offering online and on-campus programs as well as blended courses. Once you graduate, you'll have a thorough understanding of the theoretical and philosophical aspects of the criminal justice field. 

You can transfer up to 64 credit hours from all two-year colleges you've attended. 

Highlights

  • Flexible online and blended courses
  • Transfer up to 64 credits
  • 90% of students receive financial aid

Know Before You Apply

  • Additional fees apart from tuition
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,565

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,565

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,080

Macon, GA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,080

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,080

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

35%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,565

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,565

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

9,124

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why We Chose This School

Mercer University's criminal justice program promotes service-based learning and field experiences. Plus you'll take classes like criminal law, criminology, and issues in juvenile delinquencies. 

The program is designed for busy working adults, offering online and on-campus programs as well as blended courses. Once you graduate, you'll have a thorough understanding of the theoretical and philosophical aspects of the criminal justice field. 

You can transfer up to 64 credit hours from all two-year colleges you've attended. 

Highlights

  • Flexible online and blended courses
  • Transfer up to 64 credits
  • 90% of students receive financial aid

Know Before You Apply

  • Additional fees apart from tuition
#2

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Mequon, WI4 yearCampus + Online

$33,750

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,750

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

68%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Online Enrollment

Why We Chose This School

Concordia University Wisconsin's management of criminal justice program offers two concentrations: leadership and management of criminal justice. No matter which concentration you choose, you can complete a project or internship to explore career opportunities in one of these areas. 

The program emphasizes ethics, so you'll examine ethical decision-making by professionals in the field. You'll take courses in crisis and emergency management, criminal justice research methods, and forensic investigation, among others. 

You'll get to learn about crime scene analysis, collection of evidence, interviewing, and other criminal investigation processes.  

Highlights

  • Scholarships available 
  • Offers two concentrations

Know Before You Apply

  • Costs $490 per credit
  • 120 credits to complete the program
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,960

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,960

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

5,063

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,750

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,750

Mequon, WI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,750

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,750

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

65%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,960

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,960

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

5,063

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why We Chose This School

Concordia University Wisconsin's management of criminal justice program offers two concentrations: leadership and management of criminal justice. No matter which concentration you choose, you can complete a project or internship to explore career opportunities in one of these areas. 

The program emphasizes ethics, so you'll examine ethical decision-making by professionals in the field. You'll take courses in crisis and emergency management, criminal justice research methods, and forensic investigation, among others. 

You'll get to learn about crime scene analysis, collection of evidence, interviewing, and other criminal investigation processes.  

Highlights

  • Scholarships available 
  • Offers two concentrations

Know Before You Apply

  • Costs $490 per credit
  • 120 credits to complete the program

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 2024 Online Education Trends Report, 93% of all students tell us their online degree has or will have a positive ROI.
  • Nearly all (97%) of online bachelor’s students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
  • 94% of online bachelor’s students and graduates think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
  • 83% 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

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), you can expect to 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. 

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. 

For example, you can complete Anna Maria College’s online criminal justice program in only two years, depending on the number of credits you transfer into the program. 

Criminal Justice Program Application Requirements

The application requirements for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice usually include:

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 14% through 2033, much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations (4%). 

However, paralegal roles are projected to grow by only 1% through 2033, and correctional officers are expected to decline by 6%.

Popular Criminal Justice Jobs
JobMedian Annual Salary (May 2024)Description
Correctional officer$57,950Oversees the custody and safety of imprisoned people
Bailiff$57,950Maintains order and safety in courtrooms
Forensic Science Technician$67,440Helps solve crimes by gathering and analyzing evidence in labs and at crime scenes
Private Detective or Investigator$52,370Investigates theft, fraud, and various other legal and personal issues
Paralegal or legal assistant$61,010Works to assist lawyers by drafting legal documents, conducting research, and investigating cases

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 $67,000 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.

Explore More College Resources

Criminology Careers

Criminology Careers

A criminology degree can unlock various careers for students. Learn what jobs are available with a criminology degree.

Bennett Leckrone

by Bennett Leckrone

Updated April 18, 2024

Forensic Science Careers

Forensic Science Careers

Forensic science spans several industries and disciplines. Find out more about this field, its typical salaries, and the best careers in forensic science.

Bennett Leckrone

by Bennett Leckrone

Updated April 16, 2024

Online Forensic Science Degree Guide

Online Forensic Science Degree Guide

Learn what you can do with a forensic science degree and explore whether a bachelor’s program in this field is right for you.

Matthew Arrojas

by Matthew Arrojas

Updated July 9, 2025