Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Kentucky (2026)

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Kentucky Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$79,160
Salary OutlookKentucky offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyKentucky POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminal justice degree in Kentucky offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. Kentucky 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, Kentucky students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Criminal Justice Schools in Kentucky

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

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

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY BOC Score 63.1
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 65%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $62,069
Avg net price $21,499/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 75%
  • Programs offered: 27

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Louisville

Louisville, KY BOC Score 59.3
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 79%
Graduation rate 61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,899
Avg net price $17,988/yr
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$13,136
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$29,482
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 57

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

#3

Murray State University

Murray, KY BOC Score 58.3
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $44,737
Avg net price $9,096/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 76%
  • Programs offered: 54

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Alice Lloyd College

Pippa Passes, KY BOC Score 21.7
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 40%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $40,573
Avg net price $18,600/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 57%
  • Programs offered: 8

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Kentucky

Criminal Justice professionals in Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Kentucky)
Attorney$101,550
Judge or Magistrate$150,650
Police Supervisor$80,390
Detective or Criminal Investigator$71,670
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$60,490
Correctional Officer$42,310
Probation Officer$59,610
Forensic Science Technician$61,470
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$59,830
Information Security Analyst$103,630

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


Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Kentucky?

Choosing a program in Kentucky can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Kentucky 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 Kentucky often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in Kentucky 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 Kentucky compare to other states?

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

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

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


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