An online, or distance learning, college program is an affordable way to obtain your associates, or advanced degree in criminal justice. The average cost of a year of college education online is $5,000 a year. A traditional or campus based college or university can be up to $20,000 a year. The average salary for a police officer is above $45,000. This means you can see a return on your investment in the first year of work if you obtain your degree online. It will take you two years to start to see a return on your investment from a traditional campus based school.

With a degree in criminal justice you can work as a police officer, for the FBI, homeland security, the secret service or a private security company. You could be a US Marshall, work for the DEA, or be a private investigator. The choice of career with a degree in criminal justice is full of choices.

The average salary for a police officer is greater than $45,000, for the Secret Service, US Marshall or DEA the salary varies from 25 to 50,000 dollars. If the FBI employs you you can earn 40,000 to 48,000 dollars a year. With an advanced degree and experience a person with a degree in criminal justice can earn a six-figure income.

An online criminal justice, or law enforcement college education program will educate you about things such as domestic terrorism, security measure, vulnerability assessment, tactical communication, theory of crime, dispute resolution, intelligence gathering and analysis and other law enforcement related subjects.

An online criminal justice program will allow you to have flexibility, you can study and complete assignments 24/7 online. You will have access to assignments, resources, and other classmates through the Internet. An online college degree program website can provide you with information about schools, curriculum, costs, financial aid, and other aspects of online education programs.