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2027 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

176 Colleges in the United States
10,424 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$43,457 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Corrections programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 176 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections 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 & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Corrections

1

University Of Chicago tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 24 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $100,258 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Chicago

2

Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 108 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $35,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Indiana University Bloomington

3

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 157 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Illinois State University earn around $37,584 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,531 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Illinois State University

4
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 227 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $57,913. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Michigan State University

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 129 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #6 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections 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. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Aurora University

7
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #7 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 91 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $66,865 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Lewis University

8

University Of Detroit Mercy placed #8 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Detroit Mercy

9

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #9 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $46,011. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $20,300 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

10

Grand Valley State University placed #10 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 109 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $39,857 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Grand Valley State University

11

Fox Valley Technical College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 126 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $52,156 in their early career. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Fox Valley Technical College

12

Madison Area Technical College placed #12 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 77 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $39,174 in their early career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Madison Area Technical College

13
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #13 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 43 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Central Michigan University

14

Loyola University Chicago placed #14 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 82 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $42,128. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Loyola University Chicago

15
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #15 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 15 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Cedarville University

16
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 28 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Harper College earn a median of $38,474 early in their careers. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Harper College

17

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 38 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $41,258 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

18

Ball State University placed #18 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 98 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,991. Typical student debt for the program is $23,367. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Ball State University

19
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 181 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $48,266 early in their careers. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Ferris State University

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 338 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $49,712 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,253. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21

Siena Heights University placed #21 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Adrian. About 39% of students finish within six years. Siena Heights University awarded about 26 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $67,009 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Siena Heights University

22

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 55 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $39,394. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

23

Western Illinois University placed #23 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Western Illinois University awarded about 188 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $45,140 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Western Illinois University

24

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #24 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Whiting. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph graduates 22% of students within six years. About 43 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

25

Eastern Illinois University earned the #25 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,489. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Eastern Illinois University

Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI
34
35
36
37
38
39
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
40
41
42
43
44
45
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for criminal justice & corrections:

Narrow Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools by State

View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 176 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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