By TCJS Staff
December 2017
The field of crime scene investigation is not just the stuff of weeknight TV drama. It is a scientific endeavor that helps keep people safe from repeat offenders. If you have decided to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in this field, this list can help you narrow down the field. Some programs have different focuses or approaches to the field, so you will want to explore that angle as well as who best fits your education budget.
The ranking approach for this list of the top 10 best online bachelor’s in crime scene investigation is explained below. In case of a tie on points, schools were ranked by declining annual tuition rate. An itemization of our ranking process can be found at this link.
#10 – Excelsior College
Albany, New York
Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 41,658
Tuition: not reported
Excelsior College has expanded access to education for working adults for more than 40 years, through their commitment to innovation, flexibility and affordability. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, their online bachelor’s in criminal justice (investigative forensics) is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in forensic science and crime scene photography. Excelsior College offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $510 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#9 – University of Maryland University College
Adelphi, Maryland
Website
Points: 8
Enrollment: 57,529
Tuition: $12,336
The University of Maryland-University College offers 90+ degrees, specializations, and certificates in today’s top fields. With a student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1, their online bachelor of science in investigative forensics is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in cybercrime and security and fingerprint analysis. The University of Maryland-University College charges an out of state, online, undergraduate tuition rate of $499 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#8 – Salem International University
Salem, West Virginia
Website
Points: 10
Enrollment: 848
Tuition: $14,600
Salem International University traces its history back to 1888. With a student to faculty ratio of 24 to 1, their online bachelor of art in criminal justice – crime scene investigation concentration is a program structured to work with full time employment that includes coursework in crisis intervention and terrorism. Salem International University charges an online undergraduate tuition rate of $1,180 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#7 – Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, Florida
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 14,649
Tuition: $21,440
Saint Leo University was chartered by the Order of Saint Benedict in 1889. With a student to faculty ratio of 16 to 1, their online bachelor of arts in criminal justice, criminalistics specialization is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in body fluids as evidence and evidence collection and preservation. Saint Leo University offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $360 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#6 – Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 75,756
Tuition: $21,292
Liberty University was founded in 1971 by the late Jerry Falwell. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, their online bachelor of science in criminal justice – crime scene investigation is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in juvenile justice and corrections. Liberty University offers a part time online undergraduate rate of $455 per credit hour and a full time rate of $390 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
#5 – American Intercontinental University
Schaumburg, Illinois
Website
Points: 12
Enrollment: 10,091
Tuition: $10,966
American Intercontinental University was founded in 1970 to offer specialized, flexible degree programs. With a student to faculty ratio of 35 to 1, their online bachelor of science in criminal justice degree specialization in forensic science is a 180 quarter credit hour program that includes coursework in theories of crime causation and evidence. American Intercontinental University offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $302 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#4 – Colorado State University Global Campus
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Website
Points: 13
Enrollment: 11,605
Tuition: $8,400
Colorado State University Global Campus was launched in 2007, the first of its kind among public universities. With a student to faculty ratio of 32 to 1, their online bachelor of science in criminal justice and law enforcement administration, criminal forensics specialization is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in leadership principles and laws of evidence. Colorado State University Global Campus offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $350 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#3 – Aspen University
Denver, Colorado
Points: 14
Enrollment: 2,729
Tuition: $4,200
Aspen University offers high quality, reasonably priced 100% online educational opportunities. They focus on fostering a sense of productive citizenship through their economically responsible tuition rates. With a student to faculty ratio of 6 to 1, their online bachelor of science in criminal justice – major crime scene investigation procedure is a 120 credit hour program that includes coursework in constitutional law and criminal law. Aspen University charges an online undergraduate tuition rate of $450 per class. They are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
#2 – Brandman University
Irvine, California
Website
Points: 15
Enrollment: 7,331
Tuition: $12,300
Brandman University is a part of the Chapman University system. With a student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, their online bachelor of arts in criminal justice, forensics concentration is a degree completion program that includes coursework in forensic documentation and crime scene investigation. It is open only to individuals with previous college credit. Brandman University offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $500 per credit hour. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission.
#1 – American Public University
Charles Town, West Virginia
Website
Points: 16
Enrollment: 48,623
Tuition: $6,880
American Public University was founded in 1991 to meet the unique educational needs of service members. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, their online bachelor of science in criminal justice, forensics concentration is a 121 credit hour program that includes coursework in criminal legal process and fingerprint analysis. American Public University offers an online undergraduate tuition rate of $270 per credit hour for this program. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
This concludes the list of the top 10 best online bachelor’s degrees in crime scene investigation.
