Before you begin looking into specific schools, you should know what colleges will require you to get a bachelor's in criminal justice. Although every school is different, there are general guidelines that can be followed. Most colleges will require that you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. You may also have to have a 2.0 overall GPA maintained through high school. You may also be asked to provide a letter of recommendation and to complete an essay. Although you may be able to attend a school, it might be difficult to find a job if you have a criminal record. This is something to consider before applying. Talk to your potential future school counselor for specific details regarding admission requirements.
The cost of a criminal justice degree will vary according to which type of school you attend. Community colleges, for example, only charge around $80 per credit. When all is said and done, tuition for a bachelor's degree will cost around $9,600. At a public school, in-state students will pay around $7,000 per year ($28,000 altogether), while out-of-state students will pay $19,000 per year ($76,000 altogether). Private schools are the most costly, averaging around $26,000 per year ($104,000 altogether). Of course, there are still living costs, room & board, textbooks and transportation costs to consider.
A growing trend in America is the rising number of community colleges that are offering bachelor's degrees. Previously, community colleges typically only offered two-year degrees or certificates. If you hadn't considered the option of attending a community college until now, look into it. Community colleges are significantly cheaper to attend, yet they still offer accredited degrees. Contact a few local community colleges in your area to see if they offer a bachelor's degree in the criminal justice area.
Not all community colleges offer bachelor's degrees. If this is the case for the community colleges in your area, then you may have to attend a university instead. Many universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice. Choosing the right college for you will depend on many things, including how much you want to spend, how far away from home you want to live and how much time you want to spend getting your degree. However, the top criminal justice schools according to U.S. News & World Report are: Syracuse University, Drury University and the University of Louisville.
Thanks to the Internet, students are no longer restricted to attend colleges in person. You can now get your bachelor's degree in criminal justice online from an accredited school. There are many online universities that offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, so take your time when finding the right one for you. Begin your search by looking at Kaplan University, Saint Leo University, Arizona State University, Columbia College, American Intercontinental University or University of Phoenix.