Best Online Criminology Programs of 2025

Criminology investigates criminal behavior. Discover the best online criminology programs to launch your career as a criminologist.

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Updated December 17, 2024

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Criminologists investigate crime patterns, criminal behavior, and crime prevention. They develop criminal profiles to help solve crimes. And earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology can launch your career in this exciting field.

In online criminology programs, you’ll explore the root causes of crime, psychological factors linked with criminal behavior, and the impact of crime prevention strategies. As a criminology major, you’ll strengthen the investigative and analytical skills needed for careers in this field.

With a criminology degree, you can work as a crime analyst, criminal profiler, or criminologist. You’ll meet the educational requirement for federal law enforcement careers at the FBI, DEA, and DOJ, or can work in roles like fraud investigator, intelligence analyst, or victim advocate.

If criminology sounds like a good fit, check out our ranking of the best online criminology programs. The flexibility of an online format can make it easier to earn your bachelor’s degree. Our list can help you find the best program for your interests, budget, and career goals.

Popular Online Bachelor’s in Criminology Programs

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In this Article

Best Online Bachelor’s in Criminology Programs

Washington State University

Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online

$10,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,052

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,366

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,163

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

26,490

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,052

Washington State University

Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,976

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,052

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

28%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,366

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,163

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

26,490

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,063

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

78%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

21,573

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,595

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,595

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,595

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$36,234

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,234

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

21,573

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,432

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

University of Missouri-St Louis

Saint Louis, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,440

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,432

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,154

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,294

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

14,815

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, LA2 yearCampus + Online

$43,160

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,160

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,091

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,091

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

4,399

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,160

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,160

Loyola University New Orleans

New Orleans, LA2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,160

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,160

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

39%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,091

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,091

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

4,399

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$45,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

75%

Acceptance Rate

59%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,796

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,796

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

4,171

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,850

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$45,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$45,850

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

59%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,796

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,796

Retention Rate

77%

Students Enrolled

4,171

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

$6,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,776

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

48%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,849

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,776

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,776

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

48%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,272

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,508

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

11,849

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,716

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

53%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,716

Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,716

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

53%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,994

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,970

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

23,418

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY4 yearCampus + Online

$11,436

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

58%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,140

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,340

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

16,759

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,436

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,436

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,000

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

58%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,140

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,340

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

16,759

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

What Is the Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice?

If you’re interested in studying crime, should you major in criminology or criminal justice?

The two fields overlap, but they also have different focuses. Criminology investigates the causes of crime, from psychological motivations to societal forces. Criminal justice broadly explores the law enforcement and legal system.

Criminology

You’ll take psychology and sociology courses to understand criminal behavior patterns and crime prevention strategies. Criminology programs train you to build a criminal profile, design crime prevention programs, and analyze the impact of crime on communities.

Criminal Justice

You’ll take courses in criminology, but your degree also encompasses law enforcement administration, criminal law, investigative procedures, and the justice system. In addition to developing investigative skills, these programs emphasize the application of law enforcement approaches.

Both a criminology and criminal justice degree prepare you for careers in law enforcement. However, criminology majors tend to work in investigative and psychological positions, including analytical and research roles. A degree in criminal justice leads to diverse criminal justice careers in corrections, courts, and legal offices.

What Can I Do With an Online Degree in Criminology?

Criminology majors work as police officers, investigators, and detectives. In criminology careers, they investigate crimes, build a criminal profile, and interview suspects. An accredited bachelor’s degree also meets the requirements for federal law enforcement careers.

Other common career paths include roles like probation officer, forensic science technician, or correctional treatment specialist. With a criminology degree, you can also work in related areas of criminal justice, including as a financial examiner, paralegal, or victim advocate.

Learn more about salary data and career paths with an online degree in criminology in the table below.

Possible Careers With an Online Bachelor’s in Criminology Degree
Job	Median Annual Salary (May 2023)
Private Detectives and Investigators	$49,540
Tax Examiners, Tax Collectors, and Revenue Agents	$58,530
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$61,800
Fire Inspectors	$74,160
Police and Detectives	$72,280

Source: BLS

How Do I Become a Criminologist?

Earning a bachelor’s in criminology is a good first step. You’ll strengthen the analytical and investigative skills you’ll need for a career as a federal agent, crime analyst, or criminologist.

Joining professional organizations can help you network, find job opportunities, and advance your career. Many criminology organizations offer student membership discounts.

American Society of Criminology: ASC hosts an annual meeting that brings together attendees from around the globe. The society also operates a career center and offers a student membership discount.
Law & Society Association: An interdisciplinary organization focused on scholars in sociology and law, LSA offers networking and professional development opportunities. The association’s career center posts jobs related to law and society.
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences: ACJS promotes research and policy analysis in criminal justice. The academy encourages the exchange of ideas and welcomes student members.
Western Society of Criminology: WSC offers several student-focused opportunities, including scholarships and a student paper competition. The society also encourages student members to submit papers for its annual conference.
International Association of Crime Analysts: IACA offers professional development resources, crime analysis training, and an analyst mentoring program. The association also hosts an annual conference with networking opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Criminology Degree and Profession

With a BA or BS in criminology, you’ll meet the requirements for a career in law enforcement, crime analysis, or criminology. And with either degree, your major coursework will likely be the same.

However, your general education requirements will differ depending on whether you choose a BA or a BS. In a BA program, you’ll complete more courses in the humanities and foreign languages, while a BS includes more social science and STEM requirements.