Why This Matters
-
95% OF PROBATION OFFICER JOBS REQUIRE A COLLEGE EDUCATION
95% of probation officer jobs require some form of postsecondary education. While most require a bachelor’s, there are opportunities available for those with an associate degree.
-
2,400 NEW JOB OPENINGS ANTICIPATED BY 2032
The demand for probation officers and corrections treatment specialists is rising across the United States, with an anticipated 3% increase in the need for new officers by 2032.
-
POTENTIAL TO EARN A SIX-FIGURE SALARY
The median wage for probation officers and corrections treatment specialists in the United States is $59,860, with the highest 10% of workers earning over $101,080.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in criminal justice degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in criminal justice degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 73 hours to write this article
- 100 universities and colleges we assessed
- 149 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Criminal Justice Programs
intelligent score 99.91
Award
Rankings
#3 Best Colleges
#3 College Cliffs
School Information
Angola, IN
Graduation Rate: 63%
Admission Rate: 79%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$399
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-347-4878
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 97.21
Award
Rankings
#4 Best Colleges
#5 College Cliffs
School Information
Virginia Beach, VA
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 41%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$450
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-846-4198
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
intelligent score 96.73
Award
Rankings
#2 College Cliffs
#2 Online Colleges
School Information
Lynchburg, VA
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 99%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$275
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-424-9595
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 96.04
Award
Rankings
#3 Online Colleges
#9 Best Colleges
School Information
Saint Leo, FL
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 71%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$410
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-334-5532
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 95.9
Award
Rankings
#6 College Cliffs
#9 Online Colleges
School Information
Norfolk, NE
Graduation Rate: 48%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $108
Non-Resident: $151
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-576-6500
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 94.78
Award
Rankings
#8 Online Colleges
#11 College Cliffs
School Information
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate: 36%
Admission Rate: 92%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$320
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
603-645-9611
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 94.3
Award
Rankings
#4 Online Colleges
School Information
Paducah, KY
Graduation Rate: 43%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$182
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
270-534-3435
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61-64
intelligent score 94.12
Award
Rankings
#6 Online Colleges
School Information
Albany, GA
Graduation Rate: 42%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$100
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
270-534-3435
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.64
Award
Rankings
#6 Best Colleges
School Information
Honolulu, HI
Graduation Rate: 49%
Admission Rate: 90%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$585
accreditation
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
808-735-4711
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 93.19
Award
Rankings
#7 Online Colleges
School Information
Bismarck, ND
Graduation Rate: 50%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $174 Non-Resident: $260
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
701-224-5429
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 92.98
Award
Rankings
School Information
Rock Springs, WY
Graduation Rate: 34%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $105
Non-Resident: $360
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
307-382-1706
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 91.79
Award
Rankings
School Information
Bethlehem, PA
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-County PA Resident: $125-$193
Out-of-County PA Resident: $250
Out-of-State: $375
accreditation
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
610-861-5300
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 91.03
Award
Rankings
School Information
McAllen, TX
Graduation Rate: 31%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $160
Out-of-District: $170
Non-Resident: $250
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
956-872-6724
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 90.18
Award
Rankings
School Information
Killeen, TX
Graduation Rate: 14%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $100
Out-of-District: $124
Non-Resident: $250
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
254-526-1917
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 88.27
Award
Rankings
School Information
Parkville, MO
Graduation Rate: 30%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$550
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
816-746-2530
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 87.93
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tempe, AZ
Graduation Rate: 13%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Lower Division Courses:
County Resident: $97
Out-of-State: $253
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
480-517-8000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 86.95
Award
Rankings
School Information
St. Petersburg, FL
Graduation Rate: 35%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $122
Non-Resident: $425
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
727-341-4772
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
62
intelligent score 86.37
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tyler, TX
Graduation Rate: 24%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $134
Out-of-District: $194
Non-Resident: $218
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
903-510-2523
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 85.13
Award
Rankings
School Information
Columbus, OH
Graduation Rate: 21%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-62
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $172
Non-Resident: $353
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
706-507-8800
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60-62
intelligent score 83.88
Award
Rankings
School Information
Iola, KS
Graduation Rate: 23%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $75
Out-of-District: $85
Out-of-State: $95
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
630-365-5116
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
64
intelligent score 82.35
Award
Rankings
School Information
Fort Kent, ME
Graduation Rate: 52%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Rural
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $245 Non-Resident: $404
accreditation
New England Commission of Higher Education
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-879-8635
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 82.08
Award
Rankings
School Information
Muncie, IN
Graduation Rate: 64%
Admission Rate: 68%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $326
Non-Resident: $544
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
800-872-0369
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81.72
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tampa, FL
Graduation Rate: 32%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Large
Award
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $80
Non-Resident: $322
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
813-253-7000
Delivery Format
Online, On-Campus
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 81
Award
Rankings
School Information
Athens, TX
Graduation Rate: 19%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
In-District: $88
Out-of-District: $164
Out-of-State: $199
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
903-675-6200
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 78.98
Award
Rankings
School Information
White Bear Lake, MN
Graduation Rate: 28%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$203
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
651-773-1700
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 78
Award
Rankings
School Information
Columbus, OH
Graduation Rate: 41%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$398
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
888-852-6471
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 77.81
Award
Rankings
School Information
Chicago, IL
Graduation Rate: 23%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$500
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
312-922-1884
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 76.2
Award
Rankings
School Information
Spartanburg, SC
Graduation Rate: 37%
Admission Rate: 80%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Small
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$335
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
864-587-4000
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 75.62
Award
Rankings
School Information
Williamsburg, KY
Graduation Rate: 57%
Admission Rate: 85%
Urbanicity: Town
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$220
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
606-539-4372
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
61
intelligent score 74.77
Award
Rankings
School Information
Salem, OR
Graduation Rate: 35%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
94
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
Resident: $99
Non-Resident: $270
accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
509-399-5006
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
94
intelligent score 73.45
Award
Rankings
School Information
Tallahassee, FL
Graduation Rate: 38%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: City
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$103
accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
850-201-8555
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
60
intelligent score 73.4
Award
Rankings
School Information
Appleton, WI
Graduation Rate: 58%
Admission Rate: 100%
Urbanicity: Suburban
School Size: Medium
Award
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Department
Estimated Cost per Credit
$163
accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
more program informationEmail:
[email protected]
Phone:
920-735-5645
Delivery Format
Online
Programs
Required Credits to Graduate
63
Discover More Options
What You Should Know About This Degree
Criminal justice is just one field of study; other areas students might want to consider include police science and forensic science. While a criminal justice degree is concerned with corrections, forensic and police science degrees are focused on the science behind studying crime scenes.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Once your education is completed, the job outlook is relatively good, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting an average rate of growth in this profession. In addition to a college education, those looking for work in this field may need to pass physical and psychological examinations.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate degrees in criminal justice:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most associate degree programs, including those in criminal justice, take about two years to complete, provided students attend classes full time. Many schools offer students the opportunity to fast-track their program and graduate more quickly. Part-time learning may also be available for students with busier schedules — this can take several additional years to complete, depending on the student’s pace.
- What licensing or certifications are required? While corrections workers don’t typically require professional licensing, most do need to have clean criminal records as well as up-to-date CPR and first aid certifications.
Throughout your search for an associate degree program, be sure to consider deadlines and requirements for admission and follow them closely. This information is typically available on the program page of the school’s website. You might also want to consider financial assistance if you can’t fund your program independently. Ask your employer if they offer funding assistance and research other options such as scholarships and grants.