Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs 2024
2024Our communities rely on the criminal justice field and its professionals to establish order, protect us, and prevent and punish crime.
So what makes up the criminal justice field? This industry includes many career paths, including traditional law enforcement, paralegals, and community service professionals.
The FBI alone fielded 880,415 cybercrime incidents in 2023, resulting in more than $12.5 billion in damages. If you want to get in on the action, a master’s in criminal justice can get you there.
Featured Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10 Best Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Programs
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,856
- Out-of-state$15,648
- In-State$5,765
- Out-of-state$13,108
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled21,612
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Lowell, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,078
- Out-of-state$33,004
- In-State$14,590
- Out-of-state$26,370
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled17,597
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,559
- Out-of-state$15,473
- In-State$8,350
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled49,708
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,295
- Out-of-state$18,111
- In-State$6,350
- Out-of-state$13,694
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled42,441
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of San Diego
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$52,120
- Out-of-state$52,120
- In-State$27,936
- Out-of-state$27,936
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled9,041
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
Northeastern University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$56,500
- Out-of-state$56,500
- In-State$25,801
- Out-of-state$25,801
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate18%
- Students Enrolled28,167
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia College & State University
- Milledgeville, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,508
- Out-of-state$26,688
- In-State$5,292
- Out-of-state$18,846
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled6,763
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
- Killeen, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,593
- Out-of-state$16,385
- In-State$5,558
- Out-of-state$12,920
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled2,219
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
Roger Williams University
- Bristol, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$37,025
- Out-of-state$37,025
- In-State$17,476
- Out-of-state$17,476
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled4,529
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,966
- Out-of-state$41,290
- In-State$19,714
- Out-of-state$38,638
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled49,659
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Why Should You Get a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
A master’s in criminal justice can provide you with many professional benefits. The degree can impact your career trajectory, your responsibilities, and your earnings.
Below, we outline some of the rewards you could reap for getting your master’s degree in criminal justice and a few of the reasons for pursuing it online.
Benefits of Getting a Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree
- Better understand advanced topics in policy development, social justice, and crime analysis
- Access more specialization opportunities
- Qualify for more leadership positions within your industry and community
- Earn higher wages from high-ranking positions
- Greater control over your career direction and professional happiness
- Build a foundation for further education
- Study while working in the field to advance your experience and education
Reasons for Getting Your Master’s in Criminal Justice Online
- First: An online master’s in criminal justice provides you with more convenience and flexibility, such as nontraditional class times or asynchronous delivery schedules.
- Second: Online degrees have fewer travel limitations and on-campus requirements, which can open up the door to more school, program, and specialization options.
- Third: Online studies give you more control of your time and education, meaning you can organize your studies around your work schedule and family demands.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
A master’s in criminal justice leads to many different careers, but the following chart highlights some of the more popular options and their respective salaries. The upside? With a master’s degree, you may have access to some of the highest-paying positions within each of these professions.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Police and Detectives | $74,910 |
| Probation Offices and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,800 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $64,940 |
| Paralegals | $60,970 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,750 |
As a criminal justice graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to join one of several fields. The demand in these industries and professions varies, but — as an essential service — the majority provide job security.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 3% growth for legal occupations. These fields will add more than 91,700 new jobs, including more than 64,500 police and detectives and nearly 38,000 paralegals and legal assistants.
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Cost?
Average Annual Cost of a Master’s Degree | 2021-2022
Public Institution
$12,596
Private Institution
$29,931
The facts don’t lie: A master’s degree can come with a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, there are hidden college costs that can add up on top of the listed price. A list of costs that you should consider when laying out your college expenses include:
- College fees
- Room and board
- Equipment and materials
- Travel
- Miscellaneous expenses
But not all costs have to come out of your pocket. You may qualify for financial aid and federal grants, tuition discounts, or criminal justice scholarships. Plus, an online master’s in criminal justice may provide you with additional savings or allow you to earn more money while you study.
How Much Money Will You Make With a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
Average Base Salary by Occupation
MS, Criminal Justice
$61,000
MA, Criminal Justice
$64,000
What is the Length of a Masters in Criminal Justice?
An online master’s in criminal justice program typically takes 1-2 years to complete and features 30-45 credits. These programs aim to attract leaders who can leverage ethics, empathy, and professional standards when making decisions.
Average Length of Time
1-2 years*
Required Course Credits
30-45 credits
Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Worth It?
The job security, above-average pay, and strong growth make a master’s in criminal justice a worthwhile investment. But you should also consider what you want to accomplish and the direction you want to take in your career. Then, decide if a master’s in criminal justice will make that easier.
Here are a few of the pros and cons to compare:
- Cost of education vs. salary increase
- Time spent in the program vs. advancement potential
- Challenging studies vs. access to more specialized fields
At the end of the day, a master’s in criminal justice can grant you more opportunities and a competitive advantage over many of your peers. But it will challenge you and require a considerable amount of time, money, and effort. You have to put a value on that process yourself.
Still Looking for the Right Fit in Law? Discover Similar Degree Programs.
Everything Else You Need to Know About a Master’s in Criminal Justice
A master’s in criminal justice gives you the qualifications and skills for many protective service, legal, and community occupations. This includes police and detective, probation officer, and paralegal roles at the entry and supervisory levels.
You can also continue your education with a doctorate in criminal justice or a law degree. This would create a path for you to become a postsecondary teacher, researcher, or lawyer.
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