RALEIGH, N.C., April 6, 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 master's in criminal justice programs. The ranking can be viewed at http://www.nonprofitcollegesonline.com/rankings/best-online-masters-in-criminal-justice-degree-programs/.
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.
In terms of affordability, Fort Hays State University out of Hays, Kansas leads the list at an estimated $7,541 for approximately thirty credits and out-of-state tuition. Lamar University of Beaumont, Texas and University of the Cumberlands come in second and third respectively, with complete tuition rates totaling $8,460 and $9,021.
Other universities making the list include (alphabetically ordered):
Arizona State University of Phoenix, Arizona
Bellevue University of Bellevue, Nebraska
Boston University of Boston, Massachusetts
Colorado State University Global of Greenwood Village, Colorado
Columbia College of Columbia, Missouri
Concordia University-St. Paul of Saint Paul, Missouri
Drexel University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
East Carolina University of Greenville, North Carolina
Eastern Kentucky University of Richmond, Kentucky
Excelsior College of Albany, New York
Fairmont University of Fairmont, West Virginia
Fayetteville State University of Fayetteville, North Carolina
Florida International University of Miami, Florida
Florida State University of Tallahassee, Florida
Indiana State University of Terre Haute, Indiana
Lewis University of Romeoville, Illinois
Liberty University of Lynchburg, Virginia
Michigan State University of East Lansing, Michigan
Missouri Baptist University of Creve Coeur, Missouri
New Mexico State University of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Northwestern State University of Louisiana of Natchitoches, Louisiana
Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Pennsylvania State University of University Park, Pennsylvania
Regis University of Denver, Colorado
Saint Joseph's University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saint Leo University of Saint Leo, Florida
Sam Houston State University of Huntsville, Texas
Southeast Missouri State University of Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Southern New Hampshire University of Manchester and Hookset, New Hampshire
St. Cloud State University of St. Cloud, Minnesota
Tiffin University of Tiffin, Ohio
Troy University of Troy, Alabama
University of Cincinnati of Cincinnati, Ohio
University of Colorado Denver of Denver, Colorado
University of Louisville of Louisville, Kentucky
University of Maryland University College of Adelphi, Maryland
University of Massachusetts Lowell of Lowell, Massachusetts
University of Oklahoma of Norman, Oklahoma
University of South Dakota of Vermillion, South Dakota
University of Wisconsin-Platteville of Platteville, Wisconsin
Utica College of Utica, New York
Valdosta State University of Valdosta, Georgia
Washington State University of Pullman, Washington
Wayne State University of Detroit, Michigan
Weber State University of Ogden, Utah
Western Kentucky University of Bowling Green, Kentucky
Western Oregon University of Monmouth, Oregon
"Criminal justice and related fields — including homeland security, cybersecurity, and economic crime management — continue to evolve and reflect the contemporary issues of globalization, transnational crime and terrorism, and technological advancements," writes Liz Robertson, lead editor for the piece. "According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 3 million individuals are employed in the criminal justice industry as police officers, criminal investigators, special agents, corrections officers, probation and parole officers, correctional treatment specialists, criminal records managers, security specialists, crime prevention officers, juvenile service workers, and intelligence employees, among other positions. Graduates of advanced degree programs will be better suited for upper-level positions in the field, and will reap the benefits of a dynamic, ever-changing career."
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
Email