Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)

Updated June 11, 2026 BLS data College Scorecard On this page

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Pennsylvania Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$92,676
Salary OutlookPennsylvania offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyPennsylvania POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminal justice degree in Pennsylvania offers a flexible path to a high-demand career. Pennsylvania 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 top-ranked national program, Pennsylvania students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.

Online Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania

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

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

Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA BOC Score 74.0
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 12

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA BOC Score 73.3
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 29

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

University of Scranton

Scranton, PA BOC Score 72.2
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 12

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA BOC Score 62.5
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 61%
Graduation rate 86%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$20,644
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$41,790
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 28

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA BOC Score 48.7
  • 4 year
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois

DuBois, PA BOC Score 45.9
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 97%
Graduation rate 31%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$14,408
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$24,134
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly

Lemont Furnace, PA BOC Score 45.5
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 95%
Graduation rate 36%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$14,408
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$24,134
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington

New Kensington, PA BOC Score 44.1
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Acceptance rate 95%
Graduation rate 26%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$14,408
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$24,134
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard

Career Outlook and Salaries in Pennsylvania

Criminal Justice professionals in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Pennsylvania)
Attorney$157,180
Judge or Magistrate$110,580
Police Supervisor$102,400
Detective or Criminal Investigator$97,580
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$85,470
Correctional Officer$63,460
Probation Officer$67,370
Forensic Science Technician$61,580
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$63,370
Information Security Analyst$117,770

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

Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Pennsylvania?

Choosing a program in Pennsylvania can provide several advantages:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in Pennsylvania accredited?

Yes, the programs listed above are accredited by recognized regional or national agencies. For Pennsylvania, this includes accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring your degree meets high academic standards.

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

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

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

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

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