Top Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Indiana (IN)
Indiana is home to many great online and campus-based criminal justice degree and certificate programs. We’ll introduce you to the best of these programs and shine a spotlight on financial aid resources and job opportunities for graduates.
What do a criminal psychiatrist in Indianapolis, an attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Solicitor’s Office, and a Deputy Chief Counsel with the Indiana Department of Child Services all have in common? They all completed a criminal justice program from an Indiana university.
A criminal justice degree is an ideal option for anyone looking to serve their community. But while this degree can launch or accelerate your career, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact criminal justice degree that is right for you. To help, we researched the best criminal justice schools in Indiana and compiled them into a list in this guide for you. The guide includes the best on-campus and online criminal justice degrees in Indiana, as well as an insight into what degree type and delivery format are suited for your learning style and career goals.
Top-Tier Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Indiana
There are many quality programs in Indiana that provide an online learning option. Online criminal justice programs are a great alternative to traditional ones because they offer more flexibility and reduce transportation costs and student fees. It also provides the ability to balance different responsibilities such as work and family in combination with school more easily. For this reason, these programs are especially beneficial for working students or students with outside responsibilities.
In an online criminal justice program, students take all courses virtually. A hybrid program is a mix of online and in-person classes. For a better idea of what either program looks like generally, check out our guide to online criminal justice degrees.
To learn what to expect from online and hybrid classes in Indiana specifically, take a look at our rankings for this school year.
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Public
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Public
Indiana Tech
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Indiana University-East
Richmond, Indiana
Public
Anderson University
Anderson, Indiana
Private
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Public
Indiana University-Northwest
Gary, Indiana
Public
Trine University
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Private
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, Indiana
Public
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana
Public
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees in Indiana You Can Earn
When looking at criminal justice schools in Indiana, you’ll notice there are many different degree types, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. There’s also certificates and minors, which allow you to dip your toes into criminal justice while focusing on another field. Let’s break down each degree type and decide which best fits your career goals.
Criminal Justice Associate Degrees
If you have less time and financial resources to commit to your education, but want to study criminal justice, an associate degree program might be for you. Often, these degrees take two years to complete and provide a broad overview of the field. For added flexibility, there are some online criminal justice degrees in Indiana, such as the program at Ball State University. Upon graduating, students will be prepared for entry level jobs in the field, such as working as a patrol officer, bailiff, or emergency management director.
Examples of Accredited Indiana Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Tech | Fort Wayne | Online; On-Campus; Hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion | Online; On-Campus; Hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Ball State University | Muncie | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Anderson University | Anderson | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
Criminal Justice Bachelor’s Degrees
Getting your bachelor’s degree in Indiana is a great way to jumpstart or advance your career. It’s a great option for those who already have their associate’s and folks who are new to the field. Depending on your previous education, a bachelor’s degree takes 2-4 years to complete. For added flexibility, there are some online criminal justice degrees in Indiana, such as the program at Indiana University’s online campus. Upon graduation, students are prepared to work across criminal justice disciplines.
Examples of Accredited Indiana Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana University Online Campus | Online | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana University Southeast | New Albany | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | On-campus; online; hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees
If you already have your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and want to advance your career, a master’s degree might be the right option. These postgraduate degrees are also ideal for those wanting to enter the criminal justice field from a non-criminal justice background. Often, students explore a certain area of criminal justice through coursework and a research thesis. Indiana University Northwest for example, offers specializations in public safety or the criminal justice system.
Examples of Accredited Indiana Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Northwest | Gary | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion | Online; On-Campus; Hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
Criminal Justice Doctoral Degrees
To become an expert in criminal justice, you’ll most likely need to complete a professional doctoral program. A doctorate or PhD in criminal justice can lead to a career in academia and research, or a career as a high-level consultant and leader in the private or public sector. However, we could only find one criminal justice program at a PhD level in Indiana. Nonetheless, Indiana University Bloomington features a high-quality PhD option.
Examples of Accredited Indiana Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
Criminal Justice Certificates
If your primary interest is in another field, but you want to gain an educational background in criminal justice, consider a certification program. These short programs often take up less time, with some requiring as few as five courses. The program at Indiana University Bloomington, for example, hosts a criminal justice minor with nine courses. Often, these shorter programs manifest as postgraduate certificates or minors at the undergraduate level. These programs are ideal for careers where some criminal justice education is useful, but an entire degree is not required as they are for a criminal psychologist or a social worker.
Examples of Accredited Indiana Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Southern Indiana | Evansville | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana University Southeast | New Albany | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | On-campus; online; hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
| Marion University | Indianapolis | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
Getting Help Paying for Your Criminal Justice Degree in Indiana
In Indiana, the average four-year bachelor’s degree costs $71,032. For most students, that large tuition cost is the barrier to getting their degree. Luckily, there are financial aid opportunities available such as grants, scholarships, loans, and the federal work-study program.
While you should apply for more general financial aid, you also want to apply for opportunities that have specific eligibility requirements, such as state residency or preferred majors. In Indiana, you might consider:
- Indiana Choice Scholarship Program
- The Promise Scholarship from Michigan City, Indiana
- Indiana Criminal Justice Association scholarship
As a criminal justice student, you also want to apply for scholarships, grants, and other resources designed specifically for your discipline. Check out our guide to criminal justice scholarships and financial aid for even more financial aid opportunities.
Earnings and Job Outlook for Criminal Justice Professionals in Indiana
Criminal justice jobs in Indiana are well paid, and opportunities are plentiful. Usually, graduates of criminal justice programs in Indiana find themselves working in corrections, law enforcement, probation, and other related fields. Specific roles in the state that are in particularly high demand include leadership roles that require advanced degrees in the police force and probation officers.
Graduates of criminal justice schools in Indiana can expect to make anywhere between $41,000 and $80,000, according to the mean wages of five popular jobs in the state. This is on parr for the average salary for all full-time employees in the United States ($57,200 annually). However, it’s important to remember that Indiana is ranked as one of the fifteen least expensive states to live in, meaning your money will go further here than in other states.
For a better breakdown of the job growth rate and annual salary for popular criminal justice jobs, explore the chart below:
| Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bailiffs | 2.1% | 50 | $41,200 |
| Compliance Officers | 9.4% | 430 | $70,910 |
| Police Patrol Officers | 7.1% | 1010 | $62,190 |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 3.5% | 70 | $70,340 |
| Probation Officers | 6.7% | 150 | $54,710 |
Sources: Projections Central;Bureau of Labor Statistics
Helpful Resources for Criminal Justice Students and Professionals in Indiana
- Indiana Criminal Justice Association
The Indiana Criminal Justice Association offers free publications and professional development resources to help anyone navigate the criminal justice career landscape in the state. Members enjoy additional resources and events, with a student membership option available. - Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
Professionals who work in criminal justice may find the resources from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute helpful. These include their law enforcement offerings, online career development resources, and more. - Indiana Criminal Justice Student Association
Along with joining professional organizations, it can be useful to join those designed for students in the discipline. Many criminal justice schools in Indiana host chapters of the criminal justice student association, including Indiana University at Bloomington. - Indiana Sheriffs Association
Interested in becoming a law enforcement leader? Check out the Indiana Sheriffs Association. This group offers networking events, leadership training, and other free resources to their members. Some resources are also available to non-members. - Probation Officer Professional Association of Indiana
Students who are interested in becoming probation officers should consider joining this association. Members enjoy networking events, training, and access to a job board. Certain free professional development resources are also available to non-members.