2027 Best Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Criminal Justice Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the criminal justice studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Criminal Justice Studies
Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice studies. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $35,572. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Indiana University Bloomington
A rank of #2 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 157 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $37,584 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,531.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 129 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875.
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A rank of #4 makes Aurora University one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 67 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Aurora University earn around $44,150 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Aurora University
Students looking for a strong criminal justice studies program will find one at Lewis University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 84 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $66,865 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Lewis University
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 15 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans.
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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 59 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $46,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,300.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Central Michigan University placed #8 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Central Michigan University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,258. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Ball State University earned the #10 position for criminal justice studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 98 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,991. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $23,367 in student loans.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 298 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $49,712 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,253 in student loans.
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Siena Heights University placed #12 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Siena Heights University awarded about 25 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $67,009. Siena Heights University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Siena Heights University
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #13 for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 55 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $39,394 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #14 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Whiting, Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 43 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $55,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,856 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
University Of Dayton came in at #15 for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 45 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Dayton earn around $25,150 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Dayton
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $36,468 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #17 for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 115 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $38,640. Typical student debt for the program is $25,715.
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Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 28 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $44,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,252 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #19 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 94 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $39,279 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 21 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $44,159 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans.
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Gateway Technical College earned the #21 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 26 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $56,350 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,084.
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Northern Michigan University landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 56 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Northern Michigan University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $38,518 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,844.
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University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #23 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 81 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $48,228 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Saint Xavier University earned the #24 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 26 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Saint Xavier University
Roosevelt University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 27 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $41,203 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Roosevelt University
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice studies education:
Narrow Criminal Justice Studies Schools by State
More Criminal Justice Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 77 schools evaluated.
- 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.
