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Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Washington (2026)
Updated July 30, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Washington offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body
Washington POST Commission
Accreditation Required
Institutional + Regional
Earning an online criminal justice degree in Washington offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. 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 nationally available 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:
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.
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.
Occupation
Median 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?
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 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.
