2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong corrections education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Corrections Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for corrections. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $15,200. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $15,200 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,149 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Central State College earned it the #4 place for corrections. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $10,782. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $50,218. Set against $10,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #5 place for corrections. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,784 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $44,637. That is a strong return on a $9,784 median debt.
Lansing Community College placed #7 among the best values for corrections. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $16,700. Corrections graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Oakland Community College placed #8 among the best values for corrections. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College placed #9 among the best values for corrections. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $16,781 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College placed #10 among the best values for corrections. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $16,350 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #12 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,888. Set against $11,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #13 spot for corrections value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #14 spot for corrections value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,215 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $33,881. That is a strong return on a $14,215 median debt.
Jackson Community College came in at #15 for value in corrections this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $39,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College placed #16 among the best values for corrections. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $11,851. Corrections graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $53,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College came in at #18 for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $17,070. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $47,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #19 for value in corrections this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for corrections graduates is $14,997. Early-career corrections graduates make about $36,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #20 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,345. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College earned the #21 position for value in corrections this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $41,678. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University came in at #22 for value in corrections this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,587 in student loans. Corrections graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,587 median debt.
Southeastern Illinois College earned the #23 position for value in corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Median earnings reach $33,763 ten years out.
Bay De Noc Community College landed the #24 spot for corrections value this year. Set in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the corrections program here. Soon after graduation, corrections degree recipients from Bay De Noc Community College generally make around $39,075. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt.
Lake Superior State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value corrections schools. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Students borrow a median of $18,614 to complete the corrections program here. Early-career corrections graduates make about $44,286. Set against $18,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s corrections value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
