2026 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Illinois

1

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 170 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $22,531. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Illinois State University

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 134 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $34,551 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

3

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Aurora University, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. Aurora University awarded about 83 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,150 early in their careers. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Aurora University

4

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

A rank of #4 makes Lewis University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 101 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $66,865. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Lewis University

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & corrections, ranking #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 200 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University 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

6

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #6 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 34 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $40,719. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northeastern Illinois University

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $42,128 in their early career. 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

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Eastern Illinois University

9

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University placed #9 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Saint Xavier University

10

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 26 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Harper College earn around $38,474 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Harper College

11

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #11 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 26 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $41,064 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,418. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Illinois At Springfield

12

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University came in at #12 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $46,020. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,979 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Benedictine University

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 75 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $39,279. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 37 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Moraine Valley Community College

15

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #15 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 23 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $38,352 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Elmhurst College

16

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 25 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Elgin Community College

17

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University came in at #17 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Roosevelt University awarded about 14 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $41,203. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Roosevelt University

18

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #18 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Park. About 21% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $42,456 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,889 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Governors State University

19

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Oakton Community College awarded about 23 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Oakton Community College

20

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 31 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. Lewis And Clark Community College graduates carry a median of $9,120 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Lewis And Clark Community College

21

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 15 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Bradley University

22

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 415 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Southwestern Illinois College

23

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #23 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 32 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,521 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for College Of Dupage

24

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #24 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 19 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $40,118 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Joliet Junior College

25

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College earned the #25 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Triton College awarded about 187 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $43,278 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Triton College