RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Nonprofit Colleges Online (nonprofitcollegesonline.com), a website devoted to promoting nonprofit online colleges and universities, has published another of its "Students Before Profits Award" rankings, this time focused on online bachelor's in criminal justice programs http://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/rankings/best-online-bachelors-in-criminal-justice/).
The "Students Before Profits Award" series of rankings attempts to counteract online education's negative reputation fostered by the exploitative practices of some for-profit online education companies by highlighting online schools that put "students before profits and education before the bottom line." To be considered for an award programs must be offered by a regionally accredited, nonprofit college or university. Programs are then ranked according to their affordability.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana out of Natchitoches leads the list at an estimated $19,736 for approximately four years of full-time, out-of-state tuition. Fort Hays State University of Kansas and Columbia College of Missouri come in second and third respectively, with complete tuition rates totaling $23,126 and $31,200.
Other universities making the list include (alphabetically ordered):
Arizona State University of Phoenix, Arizona
Arkansas Tech University of Russellville, Arkansas
Austin Peay State University of Clarksville, Tennessee
Baker College of Flint Township, Michigan
Bellevue University of Bellevue, Nebraska
Bemidji State University of Bemidji, Minnesota
Colorado State University-Global of Greenwood Village, Colorado
Drexel University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eastern Kentucky University of Richmond, Kentucky
Florida International University of Greater Miami, Florida
Florida State University of Tallahassee, Florida
Herzing University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Indiana State University of Terre Haute, Indiana
Indiana University East of Richmond, Indiana
LeTourneau University of Longview, Texas
Liberty University of Lynchburg, Virginia
Limestone College of Gaffney, South Carolina
Metropolitan State University of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota
Missouri Southern State University of Joplin, Missouri
New Mexico State University of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Northern Arizona University State College of Flagstaff, Arizona
Ohio University of Athens, Ohio
Old Dominion University of Norfolk, Virginia
Park University of Parkville, Missouri
Pennsylvania State University of University Park, Pennsylvania
Portland State University of Portland, Oregon
Regis University of Denver, Colorado
Saint Leo University of Saint Leo, Florida
Southern New Hampshire University of Manchester and Hooksett, New Hampshire
Southeast Missouri State University of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Southwestern College of Winfield, Kansas
St. John's University of New York City, New York
Thomas Edison State College of Trenton, New Jersey
Troy University of Troy, Alabama
University of Florida of Gainesville, Florida
University of Great Falls of Great Falls, Montana
University of Houston Victoria of Victoria, Texas
University of Louisville of Louisville, Kentucky
University of Maryland University College of Adelphi, Maryland
University of Massachusetts Lowell of Lowell, Massachusetts
University of Nebraska at Kearney of Kearney, Nebraska
University of Texas of the Permian Basin of Odessa, Texas
University of Wisconsin-Platteville of Platteville, Wisconsin
Upper Iowa University of Fayette, Iowa
Utica College of Utica, New York
Washington State University of Pullman, Washington
Western Carolina University of Cullowhee, North Carolina
"The intersecting fields of criminal justice and criminology have evolved significantly over the past two decades and continue to take on more of a modern, high-technological focus," writes Liz Robertson, lead editor for the piece. "According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates of undergraduate criminal justice programs can obtain practical law enforcement jobs in high-crime areas, in investigation and detective work, for government agencies, or in administration and criminological theory. Obviously, students who pursue advanced degrees in the field will go on to have the highest-paying, most upwardly mobile careers. Graduates almost always receive the benefit of a bigger paycheck after they enter (or re-enter) the workforce, but they also get the opportunity to refocus academically and remake their professional lives. Concentrations for criminal justice majors are often available in a wide variety of specializations including homeland security and counterterrorism, law enforcement and corrections, legal studies and advocacy, justice administration, human trafficking, criminal justice management, forensic investigations, financial investigation, and fraud prevention and detection."
Nonprofit Colleges Online is an independent publication committed to promoting regionally accredited institutions that consistently put students before profits. The site helps connect nontraditional students to quality, affordable distance-learning programs by publishing rankings that make this information more accessible.
Contact:
Liz Robertson
Editor, Nonprofit Colleges Online
http://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com
(919) 745-8906