The Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in Texas

An online bachelor’s in criminal justice can provide you the knowledge base and requirements to get into law enforcement or to advance your career in law enforcement. Online learning gives you a flexible and more cost efficient way to earn your degree without losing opportunities to have meaningful class discussions and dialogue with your professors.

Finding a criminal justice degree online in Texas helps Texans find the most affordable programs at colleges and universities they and employers know and trust.

Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and law enforcement work as police officers, emergency management, crime scene investigation, cyber security, and more. Federal law enforcement agencies strongly prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees. Typically, a criminal justice bachelor’s degree will open the doors for more career opportunities and greater pay. On average, professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn $8,000 more than those with only an associate degree in criminal justice (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Texas ranks 4th in the nation for law enforcement professionals per capita with a typical need of approximately 250 full-time positions needing to be filled at any time. Approximately 40% of all law enforcement careers available offer over $45,000 per year (Indeed.com)).

Criminal Justice Career Prospects in Texas
Job Growth by 2026 10%
Annual Job Growth 1.5%
Average Wage (Mean):
$61,866
Entry Level Wage:
$42,886
Median Wage:
$61,592
Experienced Wage:
$71,356
Sources: the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report and the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Employment Projections 2016-2026 Report

Find your online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in TX

Study confidently at a quality institution in Texas where you know you will receive training relevant to Texas laws and regulations, and with attention to current affairs in Texas. Finding an online degree at a regionally accredited college or university will help ensure not only the acceptance of your degree by hiring professionals, but it will enable you to pursue an advanced degree should you someday want to take your education to the next level.

Here’s our list of online bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities in Texas. Sort to find the best, most affordable, and best value online colleges for criminal justice degrees.

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    1. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

      Odessa, TX

      Program Score

      76

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 5,283 (46% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 19
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,666 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #1 Most Affordable Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See UTPB’s full list of online degrees!

    2. University of Houston–Victoria

      Victoria, TX

      Program Score

      86

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 4,506 (57% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 102
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,781 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #8 Best Texas Online College#2 Most Affordable Texas Online College#1 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See UHV’s full list of online degrees!

    3. University of Houston–Downtown

      Houston, TX

      Program Score

      85

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 14,640 (20% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 19
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,788 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #3 Most Affordable Texas Online College#10 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See UHD’s full list of online degrees!

    4. West Texas A&M University

      Canyon, TX

      Program Score

      90

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 9,970 (34% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 59
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,135 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #10 Best Texas Online College#6 Most Affordable Texas Online College#5 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See WTAMU’s full list of online degrees!

    5. Lamar University

      Beaumont, TX

      Program Score

      88

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 15,460 (54% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 43
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,494 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College #7 Most Affordable Texas Online College#7 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See LU’s full list of online degrees!

    6. Sam Houston State University

      Huntsville, TX

      Program Score

      95

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 21,558 (17% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 72
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,536 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #5 Best Texas Online College#8 Most Affordable Texas Online College#3 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BA - Victim Studies 120 4-5 years
      BS -Victim Studies 120 4-5 years
      See SHSU’s full list of online degrees!

    7. University of Texas at El Paso

      El Paso, TX

      University of Texas at El Paso’s school logo

      Program Score

      87

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 25,177 (9% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 20
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $9,161 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College A Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See UTEP’s full list of online degrees!

    8. University of North Texas

      Denton, TX

      Program Score

      95

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 39,336 (10% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 63
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $11,044 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #3 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College #6 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See UNT’s full list of online degrees!

    9. ECPI University - San Antonio

      San Antonio, TX

      ECPI University - San Antonio’s school logo

      Program Score

      71

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 13,487 (23% fully online)
      Public or Private Private For-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 33
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $16,639 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      A Most Affordable Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 121 4-5 years
      BS - Crime and Intelligence Analysis 121 4-5 years
      See ECPIUSA’s full list of online degrees!

    10. Southwestern Assemblies of God University

      Waxahachie, TX

      Program Score

      92

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 2,050 (53% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 69
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $19,834 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #7 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BS - Human Services: Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See SAGU’s full list of online degrees!

    11. McMurry University

      Abilene, TX

      Program Score

      76

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 1,175 (6% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 4
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $28,099 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See MMU’s full list of online degrees!

    12. Dallas Baptist University

      Dallas, TX

      Dallas Baptist University’s school logo

      Program Score

      88

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 4,487 (15% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 97
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $30,320 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #4 Best Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BS Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BAS Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See DBU’s full list of online degrees!

    13. LeTourneau University

      Longview, TX

      LeTourneau University’s school logo

      Program Score

      99

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 3,150 (45% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 40
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $31,270 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #2 Best Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      BS - Criminal Justice 120 4-5 years
      See LTU’s full list of online degrees!

    14. Concordia University Texas

      Austin, TX

      Program Score

      87

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 2,518 (28% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 15
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $32,860 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA in Criminal Justice & Criminology 120 4-5 years
      See CUT’s full list of online degrees!

    15. Houston Baptist University

      Houston, TX

      Program Score

      89

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 3,741 (19% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 36
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $33,450 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      BA - Criminal Justice 125 4-5 years
      See HBU’s full list of online degrees!

    Published: .


    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    We weren’t able to get all the data we needed for this institution. This score is based on the information they have reported.
     
    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    Focused on online colleges in TX, our relative cost score compares the average in-state tuitions of Texas schools. In general, Texas is slightly cheaper than the national average of $9,970 (according to The National Center for Education Statistics) for a degree at a public 4-year college or university. However, Texas is home to some of the most affordable colleges and universities in the US, and it’s most expensive schools are tens of thousands cheaper than the most expensive schools in the country.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.