Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Washington (2026)

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Washington Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$112,041
Salary OutlookWashington offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyWashington POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

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


Online Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

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

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

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA BOC Score 89.7
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 36

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA BOC Score 83.8
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 7

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, WA BOC Score 76.4
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 33

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, WA BOC Score 61.3
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Graduation rate 30%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$6,555
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$8,668
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

South Puget Sound Community College

Olympia, WA BOC Score 59.0
  • 4 year
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 32

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Green River College

Auburn, WA BOC Score 56.8
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
Graduation rate 40%
Tuition
In鈥憇tate$4,711
Out鈥憃f鈥憇tate$5,263
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 49

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, WA BOC Score 55.9
  • 4 year
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 60

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Washington

Criminal Justice professionals in Washington 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 Washington.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Washington)
Attorney$154,130
Judge or Magistrate$134,270
Police Supervisor$136,280
Detective or Criminal Investigator$115,790
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$102,080
Correctional Officer$79,460
Probation Officer$82,750
Forensic Science Technician$81,310
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$79,400
Information Security Analyst$154,940

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


Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in Washington?

Choosing a program in Washington can provide several advantages:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in Washington accredited?

Yes, the programs listed above are accredited by recognized regional or national agencies. For Washington, 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 Washington compare to other states?

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

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

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


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