2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminal Justice & Police Science](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-and-police-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & police science schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & police science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & police science in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $6,964 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & police science. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & police science will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,868 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $49,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,995. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $28,059. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $67,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,120 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,763. Set against $9,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $7,149 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $38,595. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $10,782 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $50,218. That is a strong return on a $10,782 median debt.
Kankakee Community College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $9,784. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Delta College earn a median of $44,637 early in their careers. Set against $9,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College placed #13 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $13,506. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $51,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Mott Community College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice & police science value this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $16,781. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $34,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Morton College generally make around $31,143. That is a strong return on a $7,734 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Stark State College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $16,350 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,014 early in their careers. Set against $16,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,054 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,054 median debt.
Mchenry County College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,440. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,521. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #25 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & police science 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
