I'm looking at those 3, because they are the cheapest ones. Anything more expensive would be too expensive.

Which one is best to get Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice? Why?

Would it make sense to go for Associate's first and then continue with Bachelor's program with the same school? Or is it better to just sign up for Bachelor's right from the start?

If I decide to go for a Certificate program (Private Investigator), what are my chances of getting a job? And then, which school is best for that?

Most PI's I know are also the owners of their own company.  IE, self employed.  The great majority of them have previous law enforcement experience, in some case decades.  Lastly almost all of them have niched themselves in some way to be able to make more money.  For example you may be a former traffic investigations police officer.  This is a profitable niche as lawyers may contract you out to perform an independant evaluation of an accident, etc. and tap on your proven expertise in that subject area. 

Or you may be a former criminal investigator in which case you may be called to give an opinion or testify as a subject matter expert on the police handling of a situation you may experience in such as DWI stops, use of force, etc.  Or perhaps you are an expert polygrapher, skip tracer (bounty hunter) etc.  Most PI's I've seen specialize in something that makes up the bread and butter of their business.

Have you considered a specialization?

What state do you want to be a PI in?

Have you considered the licensing requirements?

Have you spoken to PI's in your state?

Have you an expectation for a salary range?

What attracts you to PI work?

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Have you any interest in working in law enforcement?

Do you have a clean background?

These are questions that can help me help you.

Have you considered a specialization?

 No. I would decide later.

What state do you want to be a PI in?

CA

Have you considered the licensing requirements?

I don't need a license if I work for some company.

Have you spoken to PI's in your state?

No.

Have you an expectation for a salary range?

$25/hr 

What attracts you to PI work?

I want a job that requires observing, analyzing,  investigating.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Can't answer.

Have you any interest in working in law enforcement?

Yes.

Do you have a clean background?

Yes.

I haven't checked CA law but I suspect it's not a radical departure from Texas.  Here an individual PI needs to be licensed as well as the company they work for.  You do not get a job and work under the company license but instead are individually licensed.  The company however is bonded thus you can use their bond and they hold your "commission" if that makes sense.  But you yourself have to be licensed.

 $25 an hour is reasonable, but don't expect a 40 hour work week, every week.  Sometimes there's no work, other times there's more work than you can handle.  Feast or famine kind of thing.  Why not start in law enforcement?  Have you applied at any police departments, etc?

If price is a consideration, there is one other school to consider, and it is cheaper than the other three schools you mentioned:  Andrew Jackson University.  Like PFC, Ashworth and CCU, AJU is nationally accredited. If you sign up under their sponsored tuition plan, AJU is $500 per semester.

 PFC has the added benefit of having its degree courses reviewed by ACE. That's important if you ever want to transfer your credits to a regionally accredited school.

tcord1964:

If price is a consideration, there is one other school to consider, and it is cheaper than the other three schools you mentioned:  Andrew Jackson University.  Like PFC, Ashworth and CCU, AJU is nationally accredited. If you sign up under their sponsored tuition plan, AJU is $500 per semester.

PFC has the added benefit of having its degree courses reviewed by ACE. That's important if you ever want to transfer your credits to a regionally accredited school.

The sponsored tuition arrangement is a reason to consider AJU for sure.  However, I really like the way PFC has their courses be ACE evaluated, and if you decide you want a Bachelor's degree from a state college later on down the road this will make credit transfer a lot easier.  And PFC isn't very expensive and I think they have payment plans.

-=Steve=-

ausra:

To apply at the police department, I need to get my degree first, correct?

In most cases no.  It varies greatly from one department to the next.  For example here in North Texas you have Dallas PD = 45 College credit hours required.  Multiple Mid-cities = From 30 credit hours to no college required.  Fort Worth PD = at last check no college was required.  Arlington PD = BS degree required from a REGIONALLY ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.  So you need to gather the PD recruit information for the various LEO agencies in your area.  There are many to consider...

State LEO, this includes troopers, special investigative units, correctional services, etc. licensing agencies (sometimes) etc.

County, sherrif dept. jails, probation offices, licensing agencies (sometimes) etc.

Towns, generally PDs and jails,

Federal = generally a degree is required though agencies like the Border Patrol may waive the requirement DOQ.

How does that work? Who are those sponsors and what do I need to qualify?

So, which one would I be going to - AJU or this partner College?

So, who needs them then? Why do they even exist?

What are my options (keep in mind, online and cheap)?

ausra:

So, who needs them then? Why do they even exist?

What are my options (keep in mind, online and cheap)?

First I'd start here http://www.elearners.com/resources/accreditation.asp

Once you understand the differences in accreditation you can begin to narrow your options.  Personally I do not see anything wrong with NA but there are limitations...