2027 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Illinois
Criminal Justice & Corrections degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice & corrections programs.
College Factual analyzed 42 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 Illinois
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
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from University Of Chicago earn around $100,258 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong criminal justice & corrections program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. 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.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 129 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
A rank of #4 makes Aurora University one of the top schools for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 80 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $44,150 in their early career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Aurora University
Lewis University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. 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
Loyola University Chicago landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $42,128. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for Loyola University Chicago
Harper College landed the #7 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 28 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $38,474. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Harper College
Western Illinois University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 188 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Western Illinois University earn around $45,140 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Western Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position 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 29 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $40,489 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 94 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $39,279. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Saint Xavier University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. Saint Xavier University awarded about 26 criminal justice & corrections degrees 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.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Saint Xavier University
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. About 29 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $43,844 in their early career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Moraine Valley Community College
Roosevelt University landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $41,203. Roosevelt University graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Roosevelt University
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #14 for criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 14 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $41,064 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,418 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for University Of Illinois At Springfield
North Park University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 14 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $43,519. North Park University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at North Park University
Northeastern Illinois University placed #16 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 20 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $40,719 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625.
More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Northeastern Illinois University
Elgin Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 26 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Elgin Community College
Governors State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. There were roughly 46 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
College Of Dupage placed #19 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 39 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,521.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for College Of Dupage
Joliet Junior College came in at #20 for criminal justice & corrections this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 24 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans.
Read more about the criminal justice & corrections program at Joliet Junior College
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #21 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. About 382 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Southwestern Illinois College
College Of Lake County landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 36 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & corrections program make about $50,314 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice & corrections details for College Of Lake County
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #23 position for criminal justice & corrections this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 28 criminal justice & corrections degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,763. 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
Elmhurst College placed #24 among the best criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 17 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & corrections degree from Elmhurst College earn around $38,352 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Elmhurst College
Quincy University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice & corrections this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Quincy. Quincy University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 13 criminal justice & corrections degrees were awarded at Quincy University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. Quincy University graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice & corrections program report for Quincy University
Rest of the Top 42 Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice & corrections ranking:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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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 · 42 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.