Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

A ranking of the most affordable online law enforcement degrees. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.
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Updated January 13, 2023

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Law Enforcement Degree Online

If you are looking for a career where no two days are the same, and that enables you to make a difference you can be proud of, consider a degree in law enforcement.

Most law enforcement professionals agree that this career is more than just a job - it's a calling. You need a variety of mental and physical skills to prevent, detect, and address crime in all aspects. If you are interested in dedicating your life to one of the oldest and most noble professions, you should consider pursuing a degree in law enforcement.

If you already work in law enforcement, you may be wondering how you can advance your education and move up the ranks without having to quit your job. Luckily, an online degree can help you reach your goals without even having to leave your house. Better yet, these degrees are often affordable and within reach for any student.

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What kind of Law Enforcement degree should you get?

If you have begun researching degrees in law enforcement, you might have already found yourself befuddled and overwhelmed by the many options available. Consider your budget and schedule when selecting a degree in law enforcement. While most universities offer flexible, individually tailored degrees in law enforcement online, some require occasional on-campus visits, which might not work for your schedule.

Some programs are also subject to hidden tuition, fees, and other expenses. Be sure you are considering the Most Affordable Online Colleges when you are searching for the best degree in law enforcement.

How much money do people make with a Law Enforcement degree?

While your average salary will vary depending on the field in which you are employed, most graduates with law enforcement or criminal justice degrees will earn anywhere between $40,000 and $100,000.

Graduates with advanced degrees or those who have worked their way into the upper ranks of their organization (for example, as detectives or first-line supervisors) will earn higher salaries, as will those working for state or federal governments.

Better yet, employment of law enforcement professionals is expected to grow seven percent within the next few years, which is slightly faster than average compared to all other professions.

What can you do with a law enforcement degree?

If you have a law enforcement degree, you could expect to work in a variety of different settings, depending on your interests and goals. Jobs are available at the local, state, and federal level, with graduates working in careers such as policing, security, corrections, surveillance, conservation, and fire safety and emergency management.

What are the requirements for a law enforcement degree?

Most law enforcement programs require no prior experience, although candidates who are already working in law enforcement will benefit, as they will be able to draw upon their prior experiences for class work and discussions.

While enrolled, you will take classes in procedures and policies, emergency management, systems development and management, and even more human-centered topics such as psychology and communication.

What are the best law enforcement degrees?

The best law enforcement degrees are those that will help you to meet your individual career goals. Search for a program that allows a great deal of individual flexibility, and will provide you the freedom necessary to choose your path.

Electives are a great way to explore new areas of interest, as well as to hone your expertise in a particular concentration. You should also seek out a program that is affordable and that can be completed entirely online. Affordable online programs are often the way to go for law enforcement professionals, because they fit easily into a busy, unpredictable life. Consider the following schools in your search for the best law enforcement degrees.

Rankings

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#1 Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

American Public University

  • Charles Town, WV
  • 4 years
  • Online

A private institution, American Public University System provides flexible learning opportunities to degree-seekers from all walks of life. Of these, the highly rated bachelor's degree in criminal justice is a great choice for people interested in a law enforcement-related career.

Enrolled criminal justice students connect with distinguished faculty members and a supportive student body. Relevant coursework and projects completed in a virtual learning environment help degree-seekers advance their personal and professional goals. Internships, externships, and faculty-led research projects are available for learners to get involved with. It's possible for enrollees to mold the program to their needs and interests by working with a faculty advisor to create a customized plan of study and pick electives.

An education at the college is less pricey with the variety of internal and external opportunities for financial assistance that are available. Different kinds of financial aid, such as scholarships and fellowships benefit eligible students. Of all the college's enrollees, 100% get some kind of financial aid to help lower educational expenses.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,804
Out-of-state
$6,804
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$6,615
Out-of-state
$6,615
Retention Rate
87%
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
45,249
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#2 Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

  • Natchitoches, LA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Learners seeking competitive study should consider the premier online programs at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. With 16 bachelor's programs available online, the public institution supports 8,906 virtual learners. Degree-seekers interested in public safety administration get a rigorous, industry-relevant education through the BS in unified public safety administration.

Connecting with colleagues and faculty in an online learning environment helps participants in the public safety administration program get the full benefits from the supportive remote community. Enrollees attend classes that cover both foundational and advanced topics, giving them relevant knowledge for a future public safety administration career. Learners build the competency needed for the public safety administration profession through hands-on practice in experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects. Academic advising and career counseling are just some of the resources focused on student success that the institution offers to degree-seekers during the program.

Learners should meet with a financial aid officer to discuss funding opportunities to help with the cost of a public safety administration degree. The college's students have many funding opportunities available to them, including fellowships, scholarships, and federal aid. Of all enrollees, 97% get some form of financial assistance.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$5,180
Out-of-state
$15,968
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$5,738
Out-of-state
$16,526
Retention Rate
70%
Acceptance Rate
82%
Students Enrolled
10,900
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
82% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#3 Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

Southeast Missouri State University

  • Cape Girardeau, MO
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Southeast Missouri State University provides learning opportunities with a great deal of flexibility to suit many different types of degree-seekers interested in the public institution. The Cape Girardeau, Missouri-based school supports 5,553 learners attending remotely from all over the United States, offering 11 online bachelor's programs. Many people looking to go into law enforcement or a related field find the top-choice BS in criminal justice to be a great option.

Students enrolled in the criminal justice program connect with supportive peers and distinguished faculty members. The online learning environment includes classwork and projects relevant to degree-seekers' personal and professional goals. Faculty-driven research, internships, and externships are some of the opportunities learners can get involved with. Enrollees can work with their faculty advisor to customize their coursework, select electives, and fit their program to their interests.

Since the cost of an education can be expensive, the college offers many different internal and external funding opportunities. Qualified students benefit from scholarships, fellowships, and other types of financial assistance. Lowering educational expenses is easier for the 96% of enrollees who receive some kind of financial aid.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$6,606
Out-of-state
$12,636
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$5,242
Out-of-state
$9,796
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
10,637
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
52% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#4 Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

Eastern Kentucky University

  • Richmond, KY
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

A public institution, Eastern Kentucky University provides flexible learning opportunities to degree-seekers from all walks of life. From its main campus in Richmond, Kentucky, the college supports 17 online bachelor’s degree programs, reaching 6,661 distance learners across the country. Of these, the highly rated BS in criminal justice is a great choice for people interested in a criminal justice-related career.

Connecting with top faculty members and supportive peers benefits students enrolled in the criminal justice program. The remote classroom environment lets degree-seekers do coursework and projects relevant to their personal and professional goals. Internships, externships, and faculty-led research projects are available for learners to get involved with. Choosing electives and customizing classes with the help of an advisor allows enrollees to tailor their academic experience to their needs and interests.

Since the price of an education can be high, the college features a variety of internal and external opportunities for financial assistance. If they qualify, students benefit from different types of financial assistance, such as fellowships and scholarships. Of all the college's enrollees, 98% get some kind of financial aid to help lower educational expenses.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,266
Out-of-state
$19,338
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,900
Out-of-state
$13,950
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
14,980
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
44% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#5 Most Affordable Online Law Enforcement Degrees

Baker College

  • Owosso, MI
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Baker College provides learning opportunities with a great deal of flexibility to suit many different types of degree-seekers interested in the private institution. The Owosso, Michigan-based school supports 4,691 learners attending remotely from all over the United States, offering 19 online bachelor's programs. Many people looking to start a law enforcement-related career choose the top-ranking in BS in criminal justice studies.

Students get support from their peers and from premier faculty members. The remote classroom environment lets degree-seekers do coursework and projects relevant to their personal and professional goals. Internships, externships, and faculty-led research projects are available for learners to get involved with. Enrollees work with advisors to tailor the program to their needs and interests with individualized coursework and hand-picked electives.

Many different internal and external opportunities for financial assistance help with the high price of an education at the college. Different types of financial assistance, like fellowships and scholarships, benefit students who qualify for them. Educational expenses decrease for the 89% of the college's enrollees, who get some kind of financial assistance.

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$9,720
Out-of-state
$9,720
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$12,510
Out-of-state
$12,510
Retention Rate
49%
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
7,606
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
62% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

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