10 Affordable Online Associate in Criminal Justice Degrees 2025

If you want to pursue a career in law enforcement, corrections, or the court system, but you're on a budget, you can earn an online associate degree in criminal justice at a low cost.

If you've earned your high school diploma or GED and are interested in working in these fields, an associate degree in criminal justice may be the right step for you. While you may be concerned about the cost of earning your degree, you can find affordable associate degree programs at multiple top colleges and universities.

Keep reading to learn more about these programs and what entry-level jobs criminal justice associate degree holders can secure.

What Is an Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

An online associate degree in criminal justice is a degree program that is typically completed in two years or less. Earning this degree prepares individuals for employment in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal court settings. Additionally, an associate degree in criminal justice can create a pathway for further education in roles such as forensics or crime scene investigation.

How Much Does an Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Cost?

The cost of an online associate degree in criminal justice varies depending on factors such as institution type (public or private), residency status (in-state or out-of-state), tuition costs, and financial aid obtained, including federal aid (e.g., grants or loans). For example, tuition rates for an online associate degree earned at the University of Phoenix are $398 per credit hour, which is estimated to be around $27,280 total. There are many scholarships for online students that can reduce these costs.

Cheapest Online Criminal Justice Associate Degrees

Many colleges and universities offer affordable online criminal justice associate degree programs. We highlight 10 below.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an online Associate of Science (AS) in criminal justice. Learners who enroll in this program will take general education courses in ethics and the humanities and degree-specific courses focused on policing and the correctional system.

Earning an associate degree in criminal justice prepares students for entry-level jobs, such as bailiffs and correctional officers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $342 per credit
• Financial aid: SNHU uses the FAFSA to determine students' eligibility to receive federal loans and grants. In addition, SNHU offers military discounts and accepts transfer credits.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. University of Phoenix

Students can earn an Associate of Arts (AA) in criminal justice via the University of Phoenix's online program. Students will take core, major, and elective courses in areas such as police theory and corrections to complete this degree. Admission requirements state that students must have finished high school or have earned their GED to enroll in the program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $398 per credit
• Financial aid: Students should fill out the FAFSA to determine their eligibility to receive federal financial aid. Additionally, University of Phoenix offers college credit for work and life experience and accepts transfer credits.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers an online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in criminal justice. Through this online learning program, students will develop knowledge of the criminal justice system, including juvenile justice, forensics, and criminal law. Students who are interested in learning more about the program can contact the college to request information.

• Estimated tuition cost: $244 to $347 per credit (for PA residents, varies by county); $458 per credit (for out-of-state residents)
• Financial aid: The school uses FAFSA to determine students' ability to receive federal financial aid, awards scholarships, and accepts private loans.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. American Military University

Students can earn an AA in criminal justice via American Military University's online degree program. Through this program, students learn about the criminal justice field from faculty members who have real-world experience.

Students who earn their associate degree may further their education and earn their bachelor's degree at the university.

• Estimated tuition cost: $250 per credit (with preferred military rate); $315 per credit (with veteran grant or APUS opportunity grant); $350 per credit (for all other students)
• Financial aid: The university uses the FAFSA to determine students' ability to receive federal financial aid, accepts private scholarships, and provides military tuition assistance.
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Liberty University

Liberty University offers an online criminal justice program that allows students to earn their associate degree. The program requires a total of 60 credit hours with coursework focused on criminal law and the judicial process. Career opportunities for students who complete this degree program include social services, victim advocacy, casework, and more.

• Estimated tuition cost: $250 per credit (military students); $390 per credit (full-time students); $455 per credit (part-time students)
• Financial aid: Liberty University uses the FAFSA to determine if students qualify for federal loans and grants. Additionally, the university awards scholarships, offers a payment plan, and offers discounted tuition rates to service members and first responders.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

6. Kent State Online

Kent State Online offers an AAS in criminology and justice studies. Through this criminal justice associate degree program, students learn about the criminal justice system, the court system, policing, and corrections. Students will take classes in various areas of criminal justice, including the social sciences.

Students who complete this program seek employment as probation officers or law enforcement officers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $345.63 per credit (Ohio residents); $355.63 per credit (out-of-state students)
• Financial aid: Students should fill out the FAFSA to determine their ability to receive federal financial aid. The university also awards scholarships and accepts private loans.
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Prince George's Community College

Prince George's Community College offers an AAS in criminal justice via online and on-campus formats. Students who enroll in this program will learn critical thinking, data analysis, and investigative techniques and will take classes such as Introduction to Criminal Justice and General Psychology.

Additionally, graduates of the local police academy may receive up to 32 credits toward their associate degree when they enroll at the college.

• Estimated tuition cost: $119 per credit hour (county residents); $214 per credit hour (Maryland residents); $316 per credit hour (out-of-state residents)
• Financial aid: The college uses the FAFSA to determine students' eligibility to receive federal financial aid, awards scholarships, and accepts private loans.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. LSU Online

Through LSU Online's associate in criminal justice program, students learn the theories and practices of criminal justice. Students take various classes, such as fundamentals of communication, criminal and related law, and more.

Criminal justice careers for students who complete this program include intelligence officer, corrections officer, or cybersecurity expert.

• Estimated tuition cost: $260 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students should fill out the FAFSA to determine their eligibility to receive federal loans and grants. The university accepts transfer credits obtained via prior learning, awards scholarships, and offers a payment plan.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Baker College

Baker College offers an online criminal justice associate degree with a concentration in criminal justice studies. This program prepares students for work in law enforcement, corrections, or the court system. Students will take prerequisite or general education courses in addition to major-specific courses as part of this program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $450 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Baker College accepts FAFSA for students to receive federal financial aid, awards scholarships, and provides benefits to military via the GI Bill?
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Bethel University

Bethel University offers an online AA in criminal justice. The program blends practical instruction with a liberal arts core, teaching students about corrections practices, due process, and criminal investigations.

Students who complete this program can find employment as police officers, private security officers, or emergency services dispatchers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $288 per credit hour (military students), $361 per credit hour (all other students)
• Financial aid: Students should complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility to receive federal loans and grants. The university awards scholarships and offers a payment plan.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To compile this list, we focused on the following criteria:

• Accreditation: All programs featured in this list are accredited by a valid accreditor.
• Affordability: We selected programs whose tuition costs are under $500 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: We selected programs from top colleges and universities that offer the conceptual knowledge and hands-on experience that criminal justice professionals need to thrive.

How To Find an Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree

Multiple affordable online criminal justice degree programs exist. Students can earn a high-quality education at a lower cost by choosing an in-state school that offers lower tuition for residents, by applying for the FAFSA or scholarships, as well as taking advantage of tuition payment plans or discounts for military veterans and their dependents.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Associate in Criminal Justice Degrees

Below, we've listed some frequently asked questions pertaining to criminal justice degrees.

Is an Online Criminal Justice Degree Worth It?

Earning a criminal justice degree is beneficial to individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, or the court system. Having a criminal justice degree provides individuals with the tools and knowledge to be successful in their chosen professions and can be a pathway toward furthering one's education.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

Completing a criminal justice associate degree online typically takes two years or less if students enroll in programs that accept transfer credits earned at previous institutions.

What Can I Do With an Online Associate in Criminal Justice Degree?

Students who have earned an associate degree in criminal justice can work in public safety, private security, law enforcement, corrections, or the court system. Some police departments may have partnerships with local universities that allow recent graduates to earn credits toward their associate degree.

How Much Can I Make With an Online Associate Degree in Criminal Justice?

Salary for those who have earned an online associate degree in criminal justice typically varies by individual job and amount of work experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional officers and bailiffs typically make $57,950 annually, while police and detectives typically make $77,270 annually.

Discover Online Criminal Justice Degrees

If you are considering earning an online criminal justice degree, explore content on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools for additional information, such as program requirements.