Accelerated criminal justice degrees offer the same high-quality education as traditional on-campus programs, with the added benefits of saving time and potentially reducing costs. These programs also enable you to enter the workforce more quickly.
We’ve done some preliminary research to help you find the best accelerated criminal justice degree. Our rankings, based on National Center for Education Statistics data, highlight the top online accelerated bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice.
Fast Track Criminal Justice Degree Online
1. San Diego State University
Location: San Diego, CA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
- In-State: $492-$511
- Out-of-State: $888-$907
Credits to Graduate: 48-66 (120 total)
San Diego State University offers an online BS in Criminal Justice that can be completed in as few as 15 months. This degree-completion program includes courses in criminal and social justice, with the option to add an 18-credit public administration minor. The asynchronous courses are held in 10-week sessions with start dates every semester. Admission requires at least 60 transferable credits and a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $5,742 | Out-of-State $17,622
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $7,176 | Out-of-State $16,680
Retention Rate: 90%
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Enrollment: 36,484
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 64%
Accreditation: Yes
2. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Location: Lowell, MA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $385
Credits to Graduate: 120
UMass Lowell’s online BS in Criminal Justice covers systemic issues in criminal justice, research, and statistical skills. The program includes a criminology capstone project and offers asynchronous courses in various session lengths, allowing completion within 1-3 years. An accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s option is also available, enabling completion of both degrees in less than five years.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $15,078 | Out-of-State $33,004
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $14,590 | Out-of-State $26,370
Retention Rate: 84%
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Enrollment: 18,000+
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 45%
Accreditation: Yes
3. Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Location: Charleston, SC
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $500 (In-State & Out-of-State)
Credits to Graduate: 55+ (120 total)
Citadel’s online BA in Criminal Justice allows transfer students to complete their degrees in less than two years. The program includes 55 credits of upper-level criminal justice courses, with an optional internship and recommended leadership minor. Admission requires 30-65 credits from partner technical colleges and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Tuition is flat-rate for fully online students taking 12-21 credits per semester.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $8,356 | Out-of-State $30,857
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $10,740 | Out-of-State $18,390
Retention Rate: 86%
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 3,693
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 32%
Accreditation: Yes
4. University of Oklahoma
Location: Norman, OK
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
- In-State: $500
- Out-of-State: Not Available
Credits to Graduate: 30+ (120 total)
Depending on transfer credits, you can complete the University of Oklahoma’s online BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Criminal Justice Leadership in under 12 months. The program includes courses in the U.S. judicial process and conflict resolution, with an interdisciplinary portfolio requirement. Asynchronous classes are offered in eight-week sessions with five start dates annually. Admission requires at least 60 undergraduate credits and a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $4,920 | Out-of-State $20,724
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $8,034 | Out-of-State $23,096
Retention Rate: 89%
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Enrollment: 28,042
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 57%
Accreditation: Yes
5. University of Northern Iowa
Location: Cedar Falls, IA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $350
Credits to Graduate: 60 (120 total)
UNI’s online BAS in Criminal Justice offers practical training for various law enforcement careers. Required courses include advanced crime theory and crime and social inequality. The program features a criminology seminar focusing on career preparation. Full-time and part-time tracks are available, with primarily asynchronous online classes and occasional synchronous sessions. Admission requires an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $7,780 | Out-of-State $18,480
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $9,296 | Out-of-State $19,928
Retention Rate: 81%
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 9,217
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 54%
Accreditation: Yes
6. The Pennsylvania State University
Location: University Park, PA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $626-$678
Credits to Graduate: 120
Penn State’s online BS in Criminal Justice Leadership leverages over 100 years of distance-learning experience. The program covers criminal justice ethics and alternatives to incarceration, with an optional internship. Courses run asynchronously, providing ample opportunities for engagement with classmates and instructors. Flat-rate tuition is charged for 12-19 credits, making heavier course loads cost-effective.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $15,400 | Out-of-State $25,084
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $23,189 | Out-of-State $39,248
Retention Rate: 87%
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Enrollment: 88,914
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 54%
Accreditation: Yes
7. Mercer University
Location: Macon, GA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $525
Credits to Graduate: 42+ (120 total)
Mercer University’s online BS in Criminal Justice Leadership is designed for busy students, offering accelerated and asynchronous classes in four- and eight-week sessions with five annual start dates. Graduates may be eligible for a tuition discount in the MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 2.25, with potential transfer credits for professional experience.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $29,024 | Out-of-State $29,024
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $15,244 | Out-of-State $15,244
Enrollment: 9,000+
Institution Type: Private
Online Enrollment: 42%
Accreditation: Yes
8. SUNY College at Oswego
Location: Oswego, NY
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Semester:
- In-State: $3,535
- Out-of-State: $4,240
Credits to Graduate: 57+ (120 total)
SUNY Oswego’s online BA in Criminal Justice offers flexibility for part- or full-time students. The program includes core corrections, courts, crime theories, and victimization courses, with an optional internship. Courses are available asynchronously or synchronously. Admission requires an associate degree or equivalent credits and a minimum GPA of 2.3.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: In-State $7,070 | Out-of-State $16,980
- Average Graduate Tuition: In-State $11,310 | Out-of-State $23,100
Retention Rate: 75%
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Enrollment: 7,058
Institution Type: Public
Online Enrollment: 55%
Accreditation: Yes
9. Sacred Heart University
Location: Fairfield, CT
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $650
Credits to Graduate: 54+ (120 total)
Sacred Heart University’s online BS in Criminal Justice allows part-time students to complete their degrees in under two years. Courses cover topics like police-community relations and the juvenile justice system, with a supervised criminal justice placement required. The program features flexible online delivery, accelerated 7.5-week sessions, and small class sizes. Applicants can transfer up to 66 credits.
Tuition:
- Average Undergraduate Tuition: $44,960
- Average Graduate Tuition: $34,509
Retention Rate: 86%
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Enrollment: 9,785
Institution Type: Private
Online Enrollment: 42%
Accreditation: Yes
10.DeSales University
Location: Center Valley, PA
Duration: 4 years
Format: Online + Campus
Cost per Credit: $560
Credits to Graduate: 48+ (120 total)
DeSales University’s online BA in Criminal Justice offers specializations in rehabilitation and intelligence. The program includes courses in social problems and applied data analysis, with 10 annual start dates, evening classes, and one-credit workshops. All students pay the same tuition rate regardless of location. Admission requires applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the typical duration for completing an accelerated online criminal justice degree?
The duration varies by program and the number of transfer credits you bring in. For instance, San Diego State University’s program can be completed in as few as 15 months if you have 60 transferable credits. The University of Oklahoma offers the possibility of completing the degree in under 12 months, depending on your transfer credits.
2. Are online criminal justice degrees as credible as traditional on-campus programs?
Yes, online criminal justice degrees from accredited institutions hold the same credibility and educational value as traditional on-campus programs. Programs like those at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Penn State leverage robust curricula and offer the same degree as their on-campus counterparts, ensuring that your qualification is recognized and respected.
3. What are the admission requirements for these online programs?
Admission requirements vary by institution. For example, San Diego State University requires at least 60 transferable credits and a minimum GPA of 2.8.
The Citadel Military College of South Carolina requires 30-65 credits from partner technical colleges and a minimum GPA of 2.5. It’s important to check specific program requirements for the institutions you are interested in to ensure you meet their criteria.
Conclusion
Accelerated online criminal justice degrees offer a flexible and efficient path to earning a respected qualification in less time than traditional programs.
These programs maintain the same high standards and credibility as on-campus options, with the added benefits of potentially lower costs and the convenience of asynchronous learning.
Whether you’re looking to start your career quickly or advance in your current role, programs from institutions like San Diego State University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and Penn State provide excellent opportunities to achieve your educational and professional goals.
