01Recommended
Purdue Global
Student satisfaction
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
17 Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees of 2026
Purdue Global is the strongest pick for student satisfaction and multiple concentrations, the University of Central Florida suits students who want crime-data literacy, and the University of Oklahoma is best for career outcomes. Decide which concentration and local licensing or police-incentive rules apply to you, then compare transfer credit and total tuition.
Fact-checkedOur top 3 picks
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
02Best public option
University of Central Florida
Data literacy
- Bachelor of Arts/Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
03Best for career outcomes
University of Oklahoma
Career outcomes
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
Advertiser disclosure RaveReviews may earn a commission from links on this page. That never influences our scores or rankings. How we make money.
The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method
How the score works
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
- 01Collect the source rankings.
- 02Normalize every position.
- 03Weight the sources.
- 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.
Scoring factors
- Student outcomes30%
- Affordability25%
- Flexibility20%
- Student support15%
- Reputation and accreditation10%
Sources used
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 2 sources contributed to this ranking.
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape
Score curve
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
#1#5#10
Top scores
The first five, scored out of 10.
What you need to know before you choose.
Online criminal justice degrees differ in concentrations, transfer credit and police-incentive eligibility. Compare accreditation, total tuition and internship requirements before enrolling.
Confirm that the program is regionally accredited and that it meets your state's licensing or police salary-incentive rules, such as the Quinn Bill in Massachusetts. Ask how many credits will transfer and whether an internship or field placement is required.
What the research says.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
17options reviewed
6.3average score
10.0top score
2authority sources
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Authority sources
Read the published rankings behind this list.
OnlineU 2026 Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees
Forbes Advisor Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees
Key insights
17options reviewed
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
5weighted ranking factors
The same published model across every category.
0paid placements
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
Education options ranked
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
Purdue Global
RecommendedBest overall- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- Higher Learning Commission accreditation
University of Central Florida
Best public option- Bachelor of Arts/Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
University of Oklahoma
Best for career outcomes- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- Higher Learning Commission accreditation
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Best for police incentives- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- NECHE accreditation
California Coast University
Best self-paced- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- WSCUC accreditation
University of Washington - Tacoma
Best for Washington students- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- NWCCU accreditation
Columbia Southern University
Best for adult learners- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
Florida International University
Best Florida value- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
Strayer University
Best for flexible terms- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- MSCHE accreditation
Florida Atlantic University
Best for affordability- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
San Diego State University
Best for California students- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- WSCUC accreditation
University of Phoenix
Best for frequent starts- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- Higher Learning Commission accreditation
Kennesaw State University
Best experiential learning- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
Arizona State University
Best online flexibility- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- Higher Learning Commission accreditation
Liberty University
Best faith-based option- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- SACSCOC accreditation
University of North Dakota
Best for North Dakota value- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- Higher Learning Commission accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University
Best for working adults- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Online coursework
- NECHE accreditation
Purdue Global offers six concentrations and has more than 700 verified student reviews.
10.0RaveReviews Algorithm
Compare the top options
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | Purdue Global | University of Central Florida | University of Oklahoma | University of Massachusetts - Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 10.0 | 9.6 | 8.9 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Student satisfaction | Data literacy | Career outcomes | Quinn Bill eligibility |
| Price | $11,130 | $5,018 | $550 | $11,550 |
| Highlight | Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice | Bachelor of Arts/Science in Criminal Justice | Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice | Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice |
Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.
The questions buyers actually ask
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
What is the best choice in online criminal justice degrees?
If you want the short answer, start with Purdue Global. It earned a 10.0 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for student satisfaction. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. University of Central Florida is the stronger fit for data literacy. University of Oklahoma is worth a close look for career outcomes. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
How did we rank online criminal justice degrees?
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Student outcomes at 30%, affordability at 25%, flexibility at 20%, student support at 15%, reputation and accreditation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
What should you look for in online criminal justice degrees?
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Purdue Global, the relevant details include bachelor of science in criminal justice, online coursework, higher learning commission accreditation. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
How much do online criminal justice degrees cost?
Purdue Global starts at $11,130 annual tuition. University of Central Florida starts at $5,018 annual tuition. University of Oklahoma starts at $550 /credit. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
Which option is best for student satisfaction?
Purdue Global is the pick here because purdue global offers six concentrations and has more than 700 verified student reviews.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.
That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.
Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.
What should you verify before you buy?
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
What should you do next?
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Who wrote and reviewed this ranking
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.
David Krug
Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Annie Membreve
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokFrequently asked questions
What should I compare first?
Start with the job you need done, then compare total cost, contract or tuition terms, accreditation and support. The top-ranked option is a shortlist for further research, not a guarantee of fit.
How often are these rankings updated?
We review rankings when publisher lists, pricing, features or provider terms change. Check the updated date at the top of the page before relying on a specific price or offer.
Keep comparing
More rankings and guides for the decision in front of you.