BestOnlineCollege.org is an advertising-supported website. Many of the school and program listings that appear on this site are from partners who compensate us, and this compensation may affect how, where, and in what order listings appear (such as featured placements). This compensation does not influence our editorial content, evaluations, or rankings, which are determined independently using publicly available data. We do not review or feature every school or program available in the marketplace. Our goal is to provide accurate, unbiased information so you can make informed decisions. Read our full Advertiser Disclosure.
Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated July 30, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body
Pennsylvania POST Commission
Accreditation Required
Institutional + Regional
Earning an online criminal justice degree in Pennsylvania offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. 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 nationally available 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:
BOCSCORE
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.
Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher Education 路 IPEDS 路 College 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.
Occupation
Median 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?
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 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.
