2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 285 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $28,059 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $67,732. That is a strong return on a $28,059 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,506 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,827. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,149. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,595. That is a strong return on a $7,149 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,336. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,868. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $49,224 early in their careers. Set against $11,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,120 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,782. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,964 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Triton College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $38,474. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Delta College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,784 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Delta College earn a median of $44,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,995. Criminal Justice & 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.
Lorain County Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $57,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,694 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.
Marion Technical College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.
Kellogg Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,054. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,888. Set against $11,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 285 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 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.
