Best Online Criminal Justice Associate's Degree

If you’re eager to find a job maintaining the peace and keeping your community safe, we have some good news: you can get many jobs in law enforcement with just an associate degree in criminal justice (sometimes called an associate of applied science in criminal justice). Even better, you can get an associate degree in criminal justice online.

But what can you do with an associate degree in criminal justice? An AA in criminal justice is an excellent degree if you want to become a police officer, bailiff, corrections officer, or criminal investigator. Community college is also a smart way to save money on your bachelor’s, as you can always transfer to a 4-year college later.

On average, people with an associate degree in criminal justice make $31,175 3 years after graduating, while criminal justice associate degrees cost an average of $8,484. Below, we rank the best associate degrees in criminal justice in the US.

For more information visit our guide to criminal justice. Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

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#1 in Criminal Justice

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, California

Economic score 0.40

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $2,369

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $56,069

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 51%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Criminal Justice

Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, Michigan

Economic score 0.43

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,474

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $62,425

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 30%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Criminal Justice

San Joaquin Delta College

Stockton, California

Economic score 0.74

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $1,238

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $43,409

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 41%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 1.03

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,793

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $60,470

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 30%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Criminal Justice

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Economic score 1.04

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $3,585

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $50,497

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 1.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $2,414

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $45,747

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 36%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Criminal Justice

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas

Economic score 1.43

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $4,697

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $44,892

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 42%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 1.67

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,680

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $46,762

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 1.79

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,316

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,167

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 32%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Criminal Justice

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Economic score 1.80

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,458

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $50,236

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 42%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 2.07

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,680

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,957

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 37%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in Criminal Justice

Delta College

University Center, Michigan

Economic score 2.24

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $3,828

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $42,332

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 29%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in Criminal Justice

Mineral Area College

Park Hills, Missouri

Economic score 2.32

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,972

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,710

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 41%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in Criminal Justice

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina

Economic score 2.56

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $5,340

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $40,714

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 45%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 2.62

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,287

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $43,798

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 30%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#16 in Criminal Justice

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California

Economic score 2.64

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $2,437

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $41,351

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 43%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#17 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 2.99

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $7,481

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $43,294

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 31%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#18 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 3.02

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,612

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,635

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 39%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#19 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 3.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,047

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $43,079

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 34%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#20 in Criminal Justice
Economic score 3.22

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $2,390

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $38,673

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 44%

Graduation rates below average for online associate degrees nationally (42%) are show in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (28%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

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How long does it take me to repay an associate's degree in criminal justice?

Years

No payback

The cost of the average associate's degree in criminal justice is covered by the new earnings of graduates in no payback.

How much do graduates with an associate's degree in criminal justice earn?

Salary

$37,208

The median associate's degree in criminal justice graduate earns $37,208 4 years after graduating.

How much does an associate's degree in criminal justice cost?

Net cost

$8,336

The average annual cost of an associate's degree in criminal justice is $8,336. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.