2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminal Justice Studies](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 87 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Macomb Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $6,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $67,732. That is a strong return on a $28,059 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,902. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College one of the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,252 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $44,966 early in their careers. Set against $10,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #6 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $24,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $18,082. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $38,027. Set against $18,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $15,875. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $34,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Purdue University Global placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $52,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, with out-of-state students paying around $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,418. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $41,064. That is a strong return on a $22,418 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Marion Technical College landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,828. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #15 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,215. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,881. Set against $14,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,747, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,937 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $54,417. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Saint Xavier University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $39,033. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $20,300. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $46,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #20 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,950. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $41,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $49,533. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $17,275 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $35,462 early in their careers. Set against $17,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $27,824 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $40,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #25 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $15,494 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $59,276 early in their careers. Set against $15,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice studies this year:
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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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
