Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice Programs: Finding a School

Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs: A Comparison

While everyone’s definition of “affordable” is different, low tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, and the option to cut commuting or relocation costs through online learning are all relevant factors. Below, you’ll find profiles of three relatively affordable criminal justice degree programs to help start your research.

Lowering the Cost of Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Tuition for a criminal justice degree program can be expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to make earning a degree more affordable. We’ll discuss a few of them below; we encourage you to utilize as many as possible to make getting a degree easier and less expensive.

1. Scholarships for Criminal Justice Students

These forms of financial aid are ideal because they don’t need to be paid back. But, they are quite competitive. To learn more about scholarships and other types of financial aid, visit STEPS’financial aid guide for public service degrees andscholarships and resources guide for criminal justice students.

2. Loan Forgiveness

Many jobs for criminal justice graduates are in the public sector, and some positions qualify as public-interest jobs. The federalPublic Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program lets students who become employed by government or non-profit organizations make 120 qualified monthly payments on their student loan. The remaining balance on the loan might be forgiven while they work full-time for an eligible employer.

3. Employer Tuition Assistance

Many employers understand the value created when their employees go back to school, and some offer benefits like reimbursing money spent on classes. Employers have their own rules on implementation, though. For example, theDelaware Criminal Justice Council reimburses 100% of higher education tuition costs for graduates who work in law enforcement. They must be continuously employed while in school and earn a grade of C or above.

4. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is an inventive way to raise money. Reasons for crowdfunding range from paying for a vacation to funding a life-saving medical procedure, but some people use it to help pay for school. Starting aGoFundMe account is a popular way to raise crowdfunding capital.

5. Work-Study Programs

Work-study is a type of gift-based financial aid, and students must work to earn those funds. Work-study awards are based on financial need. Part-time employment is offered to students who attend schools that participate in theFederal Work-Study program. The types of available jobs vary widely, but schools are encouraged to offer employment that is related to a student’s chosen course of study.

Factors that Impact the Affordability of Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Tuition fees and financial aid awards can significantly impact the affordability of a criminal justice degree program. So, it’s crucial that students thoroughly investigate both when selecting a school and program. They should also consider other factors that can impact the total cost of attendance, like textbooks and living expenses (if they plan to attend classes on campus).

Transfer Policy

If a school accepts a higher number of transfer credits, students with prior college coursework might be able to take fewer classes to complete a degree program. However, transfer credit policies vary among schools, so it’s important to research each school’s policy. A school that accepts more transfer credits can help students save money by taking fewer classes. It can also reduce the amount of time it takes to graduate.

Public vs. Private Schools

Public schools generally offer lower tuition rates than private schools, since they receive some funding from taxpayer dollars. But, taking full advantage of these lower rates might require attending a public school where you have in-state residency status, and residency status requirements might vary from school to school.

In-Person Requirements

Many online criminal justice degree programs are offered fully online. But, some offer their curriculums in hybrid formats and require students to attend some classes on campus. Depending on where you live, the time and cost to travel to campus a few times a semester could dramatically increase the cost of your education.

Residency Status

Having in-state residency status is typically advantageous for students who attend a public college or university, since in-state students usually receive lower tuition rates than out-of-state students. Note that some online programs might charge the same tuition rate for both resident and non-resident students.

Career Services

You’re getting a criminal justice degree to obtain a job you choose – preferably a high-paying position. In some cases, career services can make a big difference in achieving this goal. If the career services office at your college offers connections with graduates and faculty members and other networking opportunities, landing your dream job might be much easier.

Top-Rated Affordable Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Among affordable online criminal justice degree programs, the “most affordable” will likely vary depending on residency status and scholarship eligibility. Some objective factors – including, but not exclusive to, tuition rates – are worth considering.

Below, you’ll find a list of the most affordable online criminal justice degree programs. We ranked them based on tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, the program’s length, and other factors.