How Much Does Criminal Justice School Cost

If you’re interested in entering the legal field, you’re probably wondering, “How much does criminal justice school cost?” Every college program will inevitably cost money, which is obviously the case with criminal justice programs, and there are many factors that will affect the final cost. Your criminal justice degree should be thought of as an investment, though—one which can take you everywhere from the police force to the FBI to the legal office to the floor of the court room depending on what path you take.
When you’re wondering “How much does criminal justice school cost,” you must first have a clear picture of the degree you’re going to get. If you get a two-year associate’s degree, which would prepare you for a position such as a paralegal, it will obviously cost less than if you were to get a bachelor’s degree. For a job in the FBI or other higher level jobs you would need to get the bachelor’s degree. Many people also get a criminal justice bachelor’s degree before they go to law school, although other majors can also go on to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
The cost of criminal justice school at a community college will depend on the state you live in, but you can expect to pay about $80 per credit, and there will be about 60 credits involved in the associate’s degree program. A bachelor’s degree at a private university, on the other hand, can cost as much as $900 per credit for 120 credits. You can save money by going to a state college, however, which costs about $300 per credit depending on the state. You can also save even more money by completing your first two years of college at a community college then transferring the credits to a state college, where you can finish the remaining 60 or so credits.
There are other costs associated with any college degree such as books, supplies and the cost of living while attending school. So if you’re wondering “How much does criminal justice school cost,” you must also wonder, “How am I going to pay for it?” You should definitely be able to get financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and low-interest federal loans as long as the school you’re attending is accredited.

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