Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
The most affordable online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice allows you to earn your criminal justice degree in a convenient, cost-effective way.
When choosing a school, be sure to take into account all relevant costs, including tuition, fees, books, and program length.
You’ll also want to consider how you can pay for your bachelor’s in criminal justice online and the popular careers you can pursue afterward, from private investigator to forensic science technician.
10 Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice: Program Expectations
A bachelor’s in criminal justice provides a general overview of the criminal justice system. The program also prepares you for careers in areas like policing, corrections, security, and forensic investigation.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect in a criminal justice bachelor’s program:
- It takes an average of four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
- Criminal justice coursework focuses on topics like the justice system, criminal law, policing, and correctional services.
- Tuition and fees can vary widely depending on the school and program length.
While criminal justice programs can vary, coursework typically includes fundamentals of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal investigations.
You’ll study law, psychology, and sociology while honing your critical thinking, analytical, and research skills.
Additionally, some online criminal justice bachelor’s degrees provide opportunities to take specialized coursework.
Common Concentrations in a Criminal Justice Degree
Here are some of the most common concentrations you can pursue in a criminal justice degree program:
- Criminal Forensics: This concentration emphasizes crime, criminal behavior, and forensic investigations. Forensic concentrations often include coursework in chemistry and information technology.
- Juvenile Justice: Juvenile justice coursework focuses on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation for youth offenders. You’ll learn about laws and policies that apply to juveniles and the psychology of juvenile behavior.
- Homeland Security: This concentration emphasizes theories and practices of preventing, detecting, and managing national security threats. Coursework includes border safety, transportation security, and infrastructure protection.
- Administration: Criminal justice administration coursework emphasizes function and leadership in the criminal justice field. You’ll study interagency communication, court systems and processes, and politics and government.
Funding Your Degree in Criminal Justice
You have many options when it comes to funding your online criminal justice degree.
You can start your financial aid journey by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submitting the FAFSA may let you qualify for student loans and can lead to additional funding opportunities like scholarships and work-study. Members of specific communities may have even more financial aid options.
Military service personnel and veterans can apply for additional aid, along with members of specific communities. Women, students of color, and learners in certain disciplines can pursue private scholarships to help pay for college as well. Additionally, some scholarships are awarded based on academic merit.
Here are some examples of popular criminal justice scholarships you can apply for.
Women in Federal Law Enforcement Annual Scholarship
The WIFLE Scholarship supports students majoring in criminal justice and related fields. To be eligible, you must enroll full time, earn a minimum 3.0 GPA, and submit an essay and letter of support.
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) Scholarship
Through the NOBLE Awards program, you can apply for several scholarships, including national scholarships and local chapter scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at NOBLE’s Annual Training Conference.
Brian Terry Scholar Program
To become a Brian Terry Scholar, you must make a positive impact on your community, demonstrate a commitment to criminal justice, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The application requires two letters of recommendation, an essay, and transcripts.
Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship
Honoring its namesake, the Melissa Linville Criminal Justice Scholarship supports students pursuing careers in criminal justice. To apply, you must submit an essay and transcripts and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Popular Careers in Criminal Justice
The versatility of a criminal justice degree can lead to many career opportunities. You can pursue entry-level roles like police officer, corrections specialist, and criminal investigator.
Some positions for criminal justice graduates may require additional certification, training, or licensure. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can also lead to continued criminal justice study at the master’s and doctoral levels.
Salaries for those professionals with criminal justice degrees< vary by position, location, and experience.
Two common roles for criminal justice grads are probation officers and police officers. Both jobs have modest employment projections for 2022-2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Emergency management directors, who must possess advanced degrees, rank among the top-paying positions for criminal justice professionals.
| Job | Median Annual Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Directors | $86,130 | 4% |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $67,440 | 13% |
| Police and Detectives | $77,270 | 4% |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,370 | 5% |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $64,520 | 4% |
Source: BLS
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Degrees
Is an online criminal justice degree more affordable than an in-person degree?
An online criminal justice degree program can cost the same as an on-campus program. If you want to save on your degree, choose a public in-state college or university instead of a private or out-of-state school.
To determine the total cost of your program, consider everything — tuition, fees, books, and so on.
Online students can benefit from not having to pay for transportation to and from campus or on-campus housing.
What’s the highest-paying job in criminal justice?
Emergency management director is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree. This job currently boasts a median annual salary of $86,130, according to the BLS.
Other well-paying criminal justice jobs include forensic science technician, police officer, and detective.
Most criminal justice jobs offer opportunities for advancement, which can increase your earnings as you progress in your career.
Is a criminal justice degree worth it?
A criminal justice degree can be worth it if you’re passionate about serving and protecting your community, helping victims, and ensuring justice.
What’s more, criminal justice jobs will always experience some demand. For example, jobs for forensic science technicians are projected to grow by 13% between 2023-2033, according to the BLS.