Best Online Criminology Programs of 2026

Majoring in criminology can help you become an expert on criminal activity. While completing this degree, you’ll learn what factors motivate people to commit crimes and how to reduce or prevent these offenses.

With a bachelor’s in criminology, you can work in corrections, law enforcement, community services, and forensic science. Your career options include detective, probation officer, crime scene investigator, and forensic science technician.

Read on to learn about the best online criminology programs, including how much you can expect to pay in tuition and the average salary you can earn after graduation.

Before applying to an online criminology program, it’s important to consider several factors like cost, length, and application requirements. You should also evaluate your career options to ensure that the degree aligns with your long-term goals. This way, you can make sure the program meets your needs and sets you up for future success.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition and fees for a bachelor’s in criminology was $12,815 in 2020. However, that price tag could drop by over $6,000 with financial aid, such as grants and scholarships or student loans.

Once you’ve picked your preferred criminology program, make sure to contact the school’s financial aid department to ask what programs you qualify for. Also, make sure to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA.

A bachelor’s in criminology typically takes four years and 120 credits to complete. However, you can fast-track your education by enrolling in an accelerated program, if your preferred school offers it. And if you’re changing schools or changing your major, you could try transferring relevant credits.

Many colleges also offer credits for life and work experiences. These experience-based credits are usually granted if you can demonstrate extensive experience from a previous job or professional certification, for example.

A criminology degree opens doors to careers in law enforcement, such as federal agent, detective, and probation officer. Additionally, criminology graduates can pursue roles in crime analysis, forensic science, and more.

Below are some of the most popular roles you can get with a criminology degree:

A bachelor’s in criminology opens the doors to numerous career paths in criminal justice and security.

The mean starting salary of criminology graduates in the class of 2023 was $45,925, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Still, keep in mind that some of the lowest-paid roles — such as probation officers — still pay over $60,000 each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

However, you could earn much more. A criminology degree can lead to high-paying job opportunities, with roles like information security analyst earning more than $120,000 per year.

Another advantage is the flexibility an online criminology program provides. These programs can be helpful, especially if you find balancing your personal life and work challenging.

However, there are some disadvantages. For example, you might need a master’s or doctoral degree to qualify for specialized criminology roles, such as forensic psychologist.

After earning your bachelor’s in criminology, you can go on to get a master of arts (MA) or master of science (MS) in criminology. The most advanced degree would then be a Ph.D. in criminology and/or criminal justice.

These advanced degrees can create higher-paying opportunities for you in academia, law enforcement leadership, policy-making and more.