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An online bachelor’s in criminal justice is a flexible way to build broad undergraduate knowledge across core subject areas. Most programs cover foundational topics and then let you tailor electives or a concentration based on your goals.
BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and BS stands for Bachelor of Science. Some schools award a BA, while others award a BS with a criminal justice major, so compare curriculum and requirements.
Figures shown are medians from the cited public data sources (such as the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and reflect previously reported outcomes. They are estimates, not a guarantee of future earnings, debt, cost, or results. Individual outcomes vary by program, institution, location, enrollment status, and personal circumstances.
An online bachelor’s in criminal justice is an undergraduate degree that covers core subject areas through online coursework.
BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and BS stands for Bachelor of Science. Some schools award a BA, while others award a BS with a criminal justice major, so compare curriculum and requirements.
Most programs include general education, a major core, electives or a concentration, and a capstone or integrative course.
Common coursework includes core criminal justice topics plus electives for specialization.
Requirements vary by school and student type, but commonly include a high school diploma or equivalent and official transcripts.
Transfer credits can reduce how many courses you need, but policies vary by institution.
For a full map of this program area, start here: Criminal Justice Program Guide
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Most online bachelor’s programs follow a similar structure:
Online formats may be asynchronous, but many still include weekly deadlines and participation. To compare how online formats differ, see: Online Course Formats
If you are trying to move faster, compare this degree level to accelerated pacing: Accelerated Criminal Justice Programs
| Course Topic | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Criminology and Crime Theory | Major theories of crime, social factors, and research approaches |
| Criminal Law and Procedure | Legal principles, constitutional protections, and court processes |
| Policing and Investigations | Law enforcement methods, investigative techniques, and community relations |
| Corrections and Rehabilitation | Institutional corrections, probation, parole, and reentry programs |
| Ethics and Policy | Professional ethics, policy analysis, and reform considerations |
Program outcomes vary, but many curricula emphasize:
For a deeper breakdown of coursework and how it maps across degree levels, see: Criminal Justice Curriculum
Concentrations can help you specialize within criminal justice without changing the degree level. Availability varies by school, and some programs use elective tracks instead of formal concentrations.
Browse concentration pages here: Criminal Justice Concentrations
If you already know your direction, jump into a concentration:
Admissions requirements vary by school and student type. Some programs admit first-time college students. Others focus on transfer students.
Common requirements include:
For a full checklist and degree level differences, see: Criminal Justice Admissions Requirements
Transfer credits can reduce how many courses you need, but rules vary by institution.
Before you enroll, confirm:
These pages can help you evaluate policies and plan realistically:
Accreditation is a baseline quality indicator. Verify that the institution holds recognized accreditation, then compare how the program is structured, supported, and delivered online.
Learn what to verify and how to compare schools: Criminal Justice Accreditation
| Level | Typical Credits | 1yr Median Earnings | 5yr Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | $47,918 | $53,741 | $8,556 |
| Associate | 60 | $33,361 | $44,912 | $13,206 |
| Bachelor’s | 120 | $38,419 | $53,466 | $23,790 |
| Master’s | 30-36 | $54,708 | $67,116 | $35,968 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, latest academic year.
Compare degree options:
For a value and fit discussion, see: Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worth It
Data verified: June 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Return to Online Criminal Justice Degrees Guide: Programs and Career Paths
