Earning an Online Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degree

Distance learning can be an excellent option for people pursuing criminal justice careers. Online bachelor’s programs in the field prepare learners for jobs in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on median salaries for all occupations, including popular careers in criminal justice:

In addition to preparing graduates for the careers above, criminal justice degrees can also make a solid educational foundation for aspiring lawyers, forensics technicians, and postsecondary instructors.

This degree guide explores common courses, career paths, and typical study costs for online bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. It also includes a ranked list of the top online criminal justice bachelor’s programs.

According to the BLS, police officers and detectives earned a median annual salary of $69,160 in 2022 — over $22,000 per year higher than the median salary for all occupations. The BLS projects 3% employment growth for careers like police officer and emergency management director from 2022 to 2032, indicating continuing demand for professionals in this field.

Online criminal justice degrees offer flexibility and accessibility to students pursuing criminal justice careers. Asynchronous learning allows degree-seekers to schedule their education around work and family responsibilities. Additionally, online learners can enroll in out-of-state programs without relocating.

Tuition varies by school. Typically, in-state public schools offer the most affordable tuition rates, while out-of-state and private institutions are more expensive. Some online criminal justice degrees offer lower tuition specifically for online learners, which can save enrollees money as they complete their program.

In addition to tuition, online criminal justice degrees may include charges like student fees. Other expenses include textbooks and graduation fees. Learners should also budget for technology, as they must meet their program’s requirements for hardware, software, and internet speed.

Earning potential depends on many factors, including location. For example, police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn the highest average wages in states like California, Washington, and New Jersey, according to 2022 BLS data. Hawaii and Alaska also offer high salaries.

However, several of these states have costs of living exceeding the national average, meaning that these higher wages may not have the same purchasing power as lower salaries in less expensive states.

Graduates of criminal justice schools often qualify for more career opportunities. For instance, the FBI requires special agents to hold a bachelor’s degree. Some specialized law enforcement agents also need an academic background in criminal justice and other subjects.

Major-specific coursework in online criminal justice degrees explores criminal justice institutions, why crime happens, and how professionals in this field respond to crime. Students also learn how various agencies make communities safer. Many programs feature concentrations that align with specific careers.

While each school offers its own classes, the five courses below represent possible options for students pursuing affordable online criminal justice degrees. Research each prospective program to learn more about specific classes and specializations.

Graduates of criminal justice schools can qualify for a variety of jobs. According to the BLS, several of these careers feature higher-than-average median wages and positive growth projections from 2022 to 2032.

Below, we explore several common career outcomes for professionals with criminal justice degrees. Job duties vary by state and employer. Some jobs require professional experience in addition to a criminal justice degree.

Bachelor’s programs in criminology typically require 120 semester credits, which takes four years of full-time study. You can shorten your graduation timeline by overloading your schedule, taking summer classes, or enrolling in an accelerated program. If you have existing college credits, you may be able to transfer them toward your degree and graduate more quickly.

Whether a degree is worth it depends on your career goals. Employers in law enforcement and the criminal justice system may require even entry-level job candidates to hold degrees, meaning pursuing a degree in this field is required for the roles you apply to.

Multiple criminal justice jobs offer higher-than-average wages, so the degree can offer a positive return on investment. Online degrees can offer cost-saving opportunities by helping learners avoid relocation, commuting, and parking costs. These reduced expenses can further increase your program’s return on investment.

The BLS projects police officers, corrections counselors, private investigators, and other common careers in criminal justice will experience average or faster-than-average growth from 2022 to 2032. These positive projections may indicate career stability in the coming years.

A criminal justice bachelor’s degree can help qualify graduates for a diverse set of careers. Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice can also serve as an educational foundation for advanced study. Upon graduating, you can proceed into master’s programs in criminal justice, criminal investigation, criminology, sociology, and other related academic paths.

The term “criminal justice” typically carries a specific meaning in academic contexts, referring to the study of institutions, procedures, and systems used in law enforcement, criminal courts, and corrections. Fields related to criminal justice include criminology, forensic science, public safety, and law.