Rankings / Online Masters
Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice
- 50
- Schools
- $48,814
- Avg. Earnings
- 37%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,084
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,199
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $32,568 to $84,131, a 2.6× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
University of Florida-Online delivers the most for the money: roughly $71,588 in median earnings against $4,815 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
The most affordable option, University of Florida-Online ($4,815 net price), still posts $71,588 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
-
University of Florida-Online graduates 81% of its students, versus a 37% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
University of Florida-Online carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.21× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 University of Florida-Online ($71,588 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($84,131), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of Florida-Online costs $4,815 a year and Southern New Hampshire University costs $36,708. Yet their graduates earn $71,588 and $50,318, nowhere near the $31,893 price gap.
- On value, University of Florida-Online beats Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Florida-Online. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $47K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Florida-Online #1 overall | $71,588 ▲ +47% vs avg | $4,815 | 81% | 100 |
| 2 University of West Alabama #2 overall | $44,232 ▼ -9% vs avg | $12,684 | 36% | 100 |
| 3 University of Arkansas Grantham #3 overall | $63,496 ▲ +30% vs avg | $8,370 | 32% | 100 |
| $36,596 ▼ -25% vs avg | $7,770 | 49% | 100 | |
| $84,131 ▲ +72% vs avg | $18,725 | 21% | 100 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $48,814 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 37% and an average net price of $15,084.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Florida-Online — Net Price: $4,815 | Graduation Rate: 81%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Florida-Online — 81% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide — Median alumni earnings: $84,131
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$47,242
Median earnings (10yr)
36%
Median graduation rate
$14,647
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $47,242 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 36%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $14,647 a year, with about $22,307 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 41% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $47,242 against $22,307 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Florida-Online lands at #1 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of West Alabama lands at #2 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,232 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,684 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Arkansas Grantham lands at #3 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $63,496 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,370 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Purdue University Global lands at #4 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $36,596 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,770 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Daytona Beach, FL · 58% accepted · $18,725 net
Why it ranks #5
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide lands at #5 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $84,131 a decade after enrolling, 72% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,725 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Manchester, NH · $10,864 net
Why it ranks #6
University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online lands at #6 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $66,479 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,864 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Empire State University lands at #7 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,080 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,676 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Bellevue University lands at #8 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $61,289 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,550 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Shreveport, LA · 51% accepted · $7,022 net
Why it ranks #9
Louisiana State University-Shreveport lands at #9 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $47,477 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,022 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Waldorf University lands at #10 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $51,165 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,693 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
University Park, PA · 91% accepted · $19,550 net
Why it ranks #11
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus lands at #11 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,550 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Grand Canyon University lands at #12 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,186 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,472 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Southeastern Oklahoma State University lands at #13 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $45,079 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,039 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Belhaven University lands at #14 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,440 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,676 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Bryant & Stratton College-Online lands at #15 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (52/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,187 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Franklin University lands at #16 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (31/100). Graduates earn a median $51,892 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,243 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Lamar University lands at #17 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
National University lands at #18 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $67,548 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,878 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Upper Iowa University lands at #19 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $52,766 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,942 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Kent State University at Trumbull lands at #20 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,135 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Herzing University-Madison lands at #21 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $36,909 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,327 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Portales, NM · 92% accepted · $4,904 net
Why it ranks #22
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus lands at #22 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,550 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,904 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Oklahoma City, OK · 92% accepted · $16,692 net
Why it ranks #23
Mid-America Christian University lands at #23 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,116 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,692 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #24 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $65,287 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Saint Leo University lands at #25 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,364 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,293 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Presque Isle, ME · 100% accepted · $7,035 net
Why it ranks #26
University of Maine at Presque Isle lands at #26 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,956 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,035 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of Cincinnati-Clermont College lands at #27 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $54,810 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,803 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Southern New Hampshire University lands at #28 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $50,318 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,708 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Wayne, IN · $20,473 net
Why it ranks #29
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies lands at #29 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,327 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,473 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Baker College lands at #30 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,833 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,157 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Liberty University lands at #31 with a 100/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
West Los Angeles College lands at #32 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $38,537 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,634 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global lands at #33 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $59,986 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,898 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Buena Vista University lands at #34 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $49,156 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,846 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Central State University lands at #35 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $33,267 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Kent State University at Ashtabula lands at #36 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,205 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Livingstone College lands at #37 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (45/100). Graduates earn a median $32,600 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
University of the Southwest lands at #38 with a 100/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,389 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,927 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Indiana University-East lands at #39 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $47,156 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,134 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Spring Arbor University lands at #40 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,732 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,353 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
SUNY College of Technology at Canton lands at #41 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $47,860 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,268 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Atlanta Metropolitan State College lands at #42 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $33,252 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
McMurry University lands at #43 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,779 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,581 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Pembroke, NC · 93% accepted · $10,260 net
Why it ranks #44
University of North Carolina at Pembroke lands at #44 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,407 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
University of West Florida lands at #45 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
University of the Cumberlands lands at #46 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,036 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,107 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Wilmington University lands at #47 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $53,844 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,644 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Kent State University at Geauga lands at #48 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (67/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $45,388 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,044 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
University of Mount Olive lands at #49 with a 100/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Jackson College lands at #50 with a 100/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,898 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,761 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Pursuing an online master's in criminal justice can be a strategic move for students looking to advance their careers in a growing field. With many programs available, affordability and quality stand out as key factors for prospective students weighing their options. For instance, the average earnings of graduates in this field hover around $59,987, making the choice of school a vital one.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 25 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Saint Leo University leads the group at 3.6%, with Franklin University (3.5%) and Southeastern Oklahoma State University (3.2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 14.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. National University enrolls the most, at 30.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 14.8% across the list, peaking at 28.2% at Buena Vista University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.28, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Buena Vista University is highest at 1.72.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When we compare the University of Florida-Online and the University of Arkansas Grantham, the differences in outcomes become apparent. Graduates from Florida earn an average of $71,588, while those from Arkansas earn only $63,496. This $8,092 gap in earnings can significantly impact long-term financial stability, especially given the debt levels of $15,000 and $21,956 respectively.
As you consider these schools, think about what matters most to you. For example, if keeping student debt low is a priority, the University of Florida-Online's net price of $4,815 may be compelling. Conversely, if program reputation and networking opportunities are top of mind, weigh the trade-offs between graduation rates and potential earnings. Assessing your personal circumstances against these data points will help you make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the transition from college to a stable career is a crucial journey for many families. The right master's program can pave the way for a secure future, but choices must align with financial realities and career aspirations. One family may find peace of mind with a lower net price, while another prioritizes higher earning potential. Understanding these dynamics is key to making a choice that supports long-term goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice ranking? +
University of Florida-Online in Gainesville, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $71,588 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 81% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide posts the highest median earnings on this list: $84,131 ten years after enrollment, well above the $48,814 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of Florida-Online leads: graduates earn a median $71,588 against net price of about $4,815 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Florida-Online has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 81%, compared with a 37% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,084 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. University of Florida-Online is among the most affordable at roughly $4,815. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Online Master's in Criminal Justice ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
