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2027 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Illinois

42 Colleges in the United States
2,377 Criminal Justice & Corrections Degrees Awarded
$41,928 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

1

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

2

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

3

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

4
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

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

5
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

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

6

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

7
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

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

18
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

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

19
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

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

20

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

21

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

22

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

23

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

24
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

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

25
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL

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:

26
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
27
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
28
29
30
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
31
32
33
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
42
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL

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 · 42 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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