2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) 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 171 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in criminal justice & corrections in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $6,964. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Schoolcraft College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,868. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $49,224. That is a strong return on a $11,868 median debt.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $28,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $67,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,120 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,763. Set against $9,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. 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 & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,149 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College placed #9 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $26,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
North Central State College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. 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.
Oakland Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,506. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,289. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #15 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,833. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Delta College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, 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. Set against $9,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #17 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. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
St Clair County Community College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, while out-of-state students pay about $12,150. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,379. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $32,691. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Elgin Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,727. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College placed #20 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $17,611. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Indiana University Northwest ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,471 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Kishwaukee College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #23 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,424. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mott Community College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $16,781 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $34,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,575. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 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.
