Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Alabama (2026)

Updated July 30, 2026 BLS data College Scorecard On this page

Home > Programs > Criminal Justice > States > Alabama

Alabama Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$71,561
Salary OutlookAlabama offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyAlabama POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminal justice degree in Alabama offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. Alabama offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Alabama students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.

Online Criminal Justice Schools in Alabama

The following schools offer accredited online criminal justice programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Alabama.

How We Rank Schools

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:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL BOC Score 69.7
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 77%
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $59,221
Avg net price $22,420/yr
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$12,180
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$34,172
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 88%
  • Programs offered: 45

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL BOC Score 58.6
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 88%
Graduation rate 63%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $54,501
Avg net price $18,749/yr
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$9,098
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$22,562
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 55

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL BOC Score 55.6
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 48%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,534
Avg net price $14,580/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 66%
  • Programs offered: 28

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Huntingdon College

Montgomery, AL BOC Score 33.2
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $49,601
Avg net price $22,566/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 67%
  • Programs offered: 15

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

Career Outlook and Salaries in Alabama

Criminal Justice professionals in Alabama experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Alabama.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Alabama)
Attorney$131,970
Judge or Magistrate$52,850
Police Supervisor$75,970
Detective or Criminal Investigator$66,290
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$51,270
Correctional Officer$46,660
Probation Officer$61,050
Forensic Science Technician$59,560
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$47,260
Information Security Analyst$122,730

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Alabama?

Choosing a program in Alabama can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Alabama offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Licensing Alignment: Programs in Alabama often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in Alabama accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Criminal Justice pay in Alabama compare to other states?

Alabama offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Alabama a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for criminal justice in Alabama?

The Alabama POST Commission oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Alabama. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.

Browse Other States

Back to Online Criminal Justice Programs by State

More Alabama guides

Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Alabaster, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Albertville, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Auburn, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Bessemer, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Homewood, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Hoover, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Madison, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Mountain Brook, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Northport, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Oxford, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pelham, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Prichard, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Trussville, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Valley, AL (2026) Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Vestavia Hills, AL (2026)