July 31, 2007, GetEducated.com, Essex Junction, VT (PR Web)

SUMMARY: GetEducated.com, LLC, has released its national affordability rankings of universities that offer online bachelor's degrees in the criminal justice career area. The university rankings (see GetEducated Top Ranked Best Buys in Criminal Justice) are based on a survey of 35 regionally accredited universities that offer distance bachelor's degrees in justice, law and legal studies career fields.

Western Carolina University of North Carolina ranks first among the Top 10 Best Buys for its distance bachelor’s in criminal justice. Online learners who are North Carolina residents will pay a low rate of just over $9,000 for the distance degree. By comparison, the average cost for a distance bachelor’s came in at about $38,000. Among the most expensive distance degrees: Mercy University of New York ($71,400) and the University of Phoenix ($59,280).

More Details about Online Criminal Justice Degree Survey

GetEducated.com, LLC, has released its national rankings of online colleges that offer undergraduate degree majors in criminal justice, law and legal studies career areas. The college rankings are based on a survey of 35 regionally accredited universities that offer distance bachelor's degrees.

Western Carolina University ranks No. 1 on GetEducated.com’s Best Buy list for its distance bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice. Online learners who are North Carolina residents will pay a remarkably low rate of about $9,000 for the distance degree. Out-of-state applicants will pay considerably more at $43,895.

Fort Hays State College (Kansas) ranked No. 2 for its online bachelor of science in justice studies degree, at a flat rate of $16,380 for learners regardless of state of residency. Troy University (Alabama) ranked third for its bachelor’s in criminal justice at just over $20,000 for learners regardless of residency.

By comparison, the average cost for a distance bachelor’s in the justice area came in at just above $38,000.

The most expensive distance degrees for justice professionals included Mercy University of New York ($71,400) and the University of Phoenix ($59,280).

“Distance education is all about making education more accessible, especially for working adults in need of career-specific higher education,” says GetEducated.com’s founder and chief education analyst, Vicky Phillips.

“The cost of college is a huge inhibiting factor for most Americans. Western Carolina University is to be lauded for taking the initiative in making higher education more affordable, and therefore more accessible, for learners in North Carolina.”

This is the first time Western Carolina has been ranked as a Best Buy choice by analysts at GetEducated.com.

Consumers can compare all their accredited online degree options by cost, admission standards and major areas by reviewing GetEducated's Top-Rated Degrees.

ABOUT: Founded in 1989, GetEducated.com, LLC, is the safest place in cyberspace to shop for an online degree ™. Owned by higher education professionals, the clearinghouse’s mission is to help consumers get educated about quality online degrees. Education analysts employed by the site analyze, evaluate, rank, rate and compare distance degree options nationwide, including the online MBA, and distance master's degrees in education, justice and law, engineering and computer science.