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Why we like them: This criminal justice program includes a dedicated course on Louisiana Criminal Law, providing students with specialized knowledge of the state's legal system, which is particularly beneficial for those planning to work within Louisiana. Students must also complete a Criminal Justice Practicum involving 134 hours of fieldwork.

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Why we like them: This online program includes specialized courses like Criminal Justice Interview & Report Writing and Agency Administration, which are not always standard in associate programs. These courses prepare students for leadership and investigative roles. We also want to mention that this program qualifies for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance for Kansas residents pursuing careers in this field.

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Why we like them: CCC offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Academy-Based Criminal Justice, an AAS in Criminal Justice, and a Certificate of Completion, allowing students to customize their education to suit their career goals. Courses are all taught by current or retired law enforcement professionals, including the Curry County District Attorney.

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Why we like them: The program requires 12 credit hours of law enforcement training, including the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) or another accredited academy. This hands-on training component is rare in associate programs. And in addition to core online criminal justice courses, students take Agency Administration and Professional Responsibility in Criminal Justice, emphasizing leadership and ethical decision-making.

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Why we like them: Importantly, the school is among the top 26% in terms of earnings potential in this field, with a median earning of approximately $44,892 for associate in criminal justice graduates, suggesting positive career outcomes for those who complete the program. And the curriculum includes Texas Government in addition to U.S. Government, ensuring students gain state-specific legal knowledge, a key advantage for those planning to work in Texas.

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Why we like them: First of all, SCC has an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, showing that they value small class sizes. And graduates of the criminal justice program make a yearly median salary of $46,309, which is more than 81% of peers nationwide. This program includes hands-on learning experiences like mock crime scene processing, and courses are transferable towards a bachelor's degree.

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Why we like them: This specialized Corrections track prepares students specifically for careers in correctional institutions, probation, parole, and private security. We also like the fact that students automatically earn embedded certificates upon completing certain coursework, enhancing their credentials without additional time or cost. Finally, there's a Corrections Full-Service Jails/Basic Correction Officer Academy course, which provides specialized correctional officer training.

"Sinclair is a fabulous school to get your AA degree as a stepping stone to a future career... The cost is lower than at 4-year schools, technologically solid, and instructors actually care about their students."

Mary Northrup, Graduated 2016

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Why we like them: This associate in criminal justice program prioritizes courses like Constitutional Law, The Judicial Process, and Criminal Law, ensuring students develop a deep understanding of Supreme Court decisions affecting criminal justice. It also encourages students to critically examine police misconduct, use of force, bias in policing, and community trust-building, aligning with modern policing reforms. We also appreciate that Delgado offers an optional practical experience course that allows students to gain real-world experience in law enforcement, corrections, or the court system.

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Why we like them: Designed specifically for seamless credit transfer to any Texas public university's criminal justice program, this degree ensures students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in the state affordably. And the associate curriculum includes both Federal Government and Texas Government courses, ensuring students gain a deep understanding of state and federal legal systems — critical for careers in Texas law enforcement.

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Why we like them: This associate in criminal justice can be finished in an accelerated 12-month format, allowing students to complete their degree in just three semesters. The program also provides 15 credit hours for Louisiana POST-certified peace officers, reducing time to graduation for law enforcement professionals. Additionally, the program emphasizes medicolegal death investigation, a component that sets it apart from other community college criminal justice programs.

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Why we like them: CCC offers a comprehensive criminal justice program that lets you choose from various credentials, including an Associate of Applied Science degree, diploma, or certificates in Corrections, Criminal Justice, and Police. Notably, the Nebraska First Responder Recruitment and Retention Law Enforcement Education Act allows law enforcement officers to receive a full tuition waiver, which further enhances the program's appeal, particularly for those in this line of work.

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Why we like them: This associate degree program encourages participation in activities like tours of correctional facilities and community events to enhance practical learning. It also provides additional engagement opportunities through events and guest speakers, offering insights into career options within the criminal justice sector. And graduates report high median earnings of $42,951, which is in the top 36% of earners with this degree nationwide.

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Why we like them: The faculty of this associate degree consists of former law enforcement officers, bringing 200 years of real-world experience to the classroom. Students learn from ex-police officers, federal agents, crime scene investigators, and detectives, gaining hands-on training in modern crime-fighting and investigation techniques. The program offers a tuition exemption for Texas peace officers, making it an affordable choice for law enforcement professionals.

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Why we like them: GMC's criminal justice associate program offers law enforcement and correctional officer training credits, allowing professionals to earn academic credit for prior experience. Additionally, GMC provides a 10% tuition scholarship for public safety professionals and their families, making it an affordable and accessible option for those in service-oriented careers.

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Why we like them: In terms of affordability, CCU not only offers low tuition but interest-free payment plans as low as $150 per month. Additionally, CCU provides multiple ways to earn credit, including challenge exams and credit for prior training, enabling students to accelerate their degree completion while maintaining flexibility.

"I assure anyone skeptical about online/distance education that California Coast University is outstanding... The faculty and staff always went beyond the call of duty to be helpful, and I feel my experience at CCU provided me with the latest online learning tools... I recommend CCU without reservation to anyone willing to put forth diligence in pursuing an advanced degree."

Gary, Graduated

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"Middle Georgia State University offers a smaller class environment, which allows for better concentration and meaningful professor-student interaction. Professors are approachable and ready to assist if you reach out to them. This environment fosters a favorable learning experience, and I would recommend this school for anyone seeking a focused and interactive academic atmosphere."

Shaniqua Barron, Graduated 2016

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Why we like them: ASUN's criminal justice program integrates real-time regional job market insights, giving students access to Arkansas-specific employment trends, salary data, and career demand projections. This feature ensures that students graduate with a clear understanding of their career prospects and can tailor their education to align with industry needs in their region.

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Why we like them: Murray State provides Spanish language training as part of its criminal justice associate degree in order to enhance communication in law enforcement. There are over 1,300 online students enrolled at the undergraduate level here, making it a popular choice to study remotely.

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Why we like them: SAC offers three associate degrees in criminal justice: Law Enforcement, Law Enforcement Peace Officer, and Correctional Science — all available fully online. The Peace Officer track allows students to receive up to 20 credit hours for prior police academy training and offers tuition exemption for active peace officers under Texas Senate Bill 1210. At SAC, there are over 6,600 students studying 100% online, making it the most popular online school on our list.

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Why we like them: MCC offers three distinct associate degree options in this field as well as specialized certificates in criminal justice, allowing students to focus on law enforcement, corrections, forensic arts, or university transfer. The AAS in Forensic Arts stands out as a unique option for aspiring crime scene investigators, while one-year certificates in law enforcement and corrections provide quick entry into the workforce.

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Why we like them: Unlike most programs, BCTC requires students to pass a post-exit exam before graduation, ensuring graduates meet industry standards and are well-prepared for real-world law enforcement and corrections roles. BCTC offers six specialized credential options, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals, including certificates in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Security & Loss Prevention, and more.

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Why we like them: ECTC's criminal justice program offers an Associate in Applied Science with multicentric tracks including Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Security and Loss Prevention. These are further supported by distinctive certificate options like Computer Forensics and Industrial Safety and Security.

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Why we like them: Students in this associate program can earn a Computer Forensics certificate, which trains them in digital crime investigation, cybersecurity, and evidence collection — a highly valuable skill in modern law enforcement. And there are five focused pathways to choose from: Conservation, Corrections , Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Security & Loss Prevention.

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Why we like them: Students here can choose from five specialization tracks, with options like Law Enforcement, Security & Loss Prevention, and Corrections. Each track comprises unique electives. We also like that students can earn multiple stackable certificates while completing their degree, such as Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, Community Reentry Specialist Certificate, and Criminal Behavior Certificate. These certificates allow students to specialize without committing to an entire track.

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Why we like them: YCCC emphasizes one-on-one instruction and personalized career advisement, ensuring students receive mentorship throughout their studies, and the program is led by Chief Timothy Burton, a former Police Chief in Maine and Texas, with over 35 years of law enforcement experience. This seems to pay off in the long-run because the median salary from graduates in this program is high at $47,167/year. That's better than 84% of peers graduating with the same degree nationwide.

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Why we like them: This associate program emphasizes practical skills such as tactical patrol, fitness for duty, de-escalation techniques, crime scene processing, and defense tactics. Students undergo a criminal background check, and acceptance into the program aligns with Maine Criminal Justice Academy standards, ensuring compliance with state-specific police certification and hiring regulations.

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Why we like them: This associate in criminal justice program offers an extensive selection of electives, including E-Crime Investigative Methods, Cyber Terrorism, White-Collar Crime, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Transportation & Border Security, and CSI & Forensic Photography, each providing students with specialized training. And although many other programs offer internships as an option, DMACC makes it a required part of the curriculum.

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Why we like them: GBC’s program is taught entirely by practitioners who have worked in the field as police officers, investigators, prosecutors, and juvenile justice officials. Students learn directly from active and former law enforcement professionals with hands-on experience in patrol work, crime scene investigations, courtrooms, and corrections. And given its location in Nevada, GBC provides students with unique exposure to rural policing, tribal law enforcement, and smaller community-based criminal justice systems, which differ from the urban-focused approaches of larger institutions.

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Why we like them: GCC's criminal justice associate program offers an specializations in Corrections Counseling, Forensics, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and Policing. The Criminal Justice Certificate is also available as a fast-track credential for those looking to enter the workforce quickly or supplement existing qualifications. And we want to mention that this degree is part of the SUNY seamless transfer initiative, allowing students to complete their first two years affordably before transferring to any SUNY four-year institution.

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Why we like them: This criminal justice curriculum includes a U.S. and Nevada Constitution requirement, making it particularly beneficial for students planning to work in law enforcement or legal fields within Nevada. We also like that students can take electives in Crisis Intervention, Introduction to Counseling, and Substance Abuse Awareness, providing mental health and rehabilitation perspectives that are not typically emphasized in associate criminal justice programs.