2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Illinois
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for criminal justice studies in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. 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. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Kishwaukee College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,093. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $33,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #5 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,418 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,551 early in their careers. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $39,033. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Governors State University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,889. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $42,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $39,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Chicago State University earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $32,974. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $35,419. That is a strong return on a $32,974 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #13 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $66,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Aurora University landed the #14 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $44,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,531 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $37,584. Set against $22,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $41,203. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Quincy University earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $37,140. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,414. That is a strong return on a $26,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $34,877. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
