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2024 Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

130 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
13,463 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$36,578 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in criminal justice & corrections, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #7 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 130 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of criminal justice & corrections. Combined, these schools handed out 13,463 degrees in criminal justice & corrections to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Criminal Justice & Corrections School

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region The criminal justice program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections rankings. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for criminal justice & corrections schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice
Doctor's Degrees in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

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

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Criminal Justice

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$99,684 Median Starting Salary

University of Chicago is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in criminal justice & corrections. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were about 23 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from University of Chicago receive an earnings boost of about $63,106 over the average earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University of Chicago

2
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
180 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
12.2% Growth in Graduates

Michigan State University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 180 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the criminal justice & corrections program at Michigan State University make $8,794 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Michigan State University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
373 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$39,419 Median Starting Salary

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #166 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC is a great university overall.

There were about 373 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available. Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their degree from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus make $2,841 more than the average criminal justice graduate.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

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4
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

It is difficult to beat Purdue University Global if you wish to pursue a degree in criminal justice & corrections. Purdue University Global is a fairly large public university located in the city of West Lafayette. This university ranks 11th out of 42 colleges for overall quality in the state of Indiana.More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Purdue University Global

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$66,436 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 21st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 56 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Siena Heights University in the most recent year we have data available. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from Siena Heights University earn a boost of about $29,858 above the typical earnings of criminal justice & corrections majors.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Siena Heights University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
203 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$34,572 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 203 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the criminal justice program state that they receive average early career earnings of $34,572.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from University of Illinois at Chicago

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
115 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$34,197 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were about 115 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make an average of $34,197 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Indiana University - Bloomington

8
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
572 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
35.1% Growth in Graduates

Eastern Gateway Community College is a fairly large public college located in the small city of Steubenville. A Best Colleges rank of #342 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Eastern Gateway Community College is a great college overall.

There were roughly 572 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Gateway Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from Eastern Gateway Community College earn a boost of around $7,825 above the average earnings of criminal justice & corrections majors.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Eastern Gateway Community College

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
178 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
18.0% Growth in Graduates

Union is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Cincinnati. A Best Colleges rank of #306 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Union is a great university overall.

There were roughly 178 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Union in the most recent year we have data available. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from Union Institute & University receive an earnings boost of approximately $78,369 over the average income of criminal justice & corrections majors.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Union Institute & University

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
75.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a public college with a large student population. This college ranks 27th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 87 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Grand Rapids Community College in the most recent year we have data available. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College receive an earnings boost of about $12,657 above the typical income of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Grand Rapids Community College

11
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
162 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$47,844 Median Starting Salary

Gateway Technical College is a moderately-sized public college located in the medium-sized suburb of Kenosha. This college ranks 9th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were about 162 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the criminal justice & corrections program at Gateway Technical College earn $11,266 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Gateway Technical College

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
159 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$36,805 Median Starting Salary

Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize suburb of Normal. A Best Colleges rank of #231 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Illinois State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 159 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the criminal justice program earn around $36,805 for their early career.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Illinois State University

13
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
55 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
60.0% Growth in Graduates

Macomb Community College is a fairly large public college located in the medium-sized city of Warren. A Best Colleges rank of #377 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Macomb Community College is a great college overall.

There were about 55 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. Those criminal justice & corrections students who get their degree from Macomb Community College receive $6,397 more than the standard criminal justice graduate.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Macomb Community College

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
305 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$43,995 Median Starting Salary

Located in the remote town of Macomb, WIU is a public university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 39th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were roughly 305 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at WIU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the criminal justice & corrections program at Western Illinois University earn $7,417 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Western Illinois University

15
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
386 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
7.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the distant town of Big Rapids, Ferris is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 16th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 386 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Ferris in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Corrections degree recipients from Ferris State University get an earnings boost of about $10,836 over the typical earnings of criminal justice & corrections graduates.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Ferris State University

16
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
77 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$37,429 Median Starting Salary

Madison College is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Madison. This college ranks 8th out of 46 schools for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were roughly 77 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Madison College in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the criminal justice program report average early career wages of $37,429.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Madison Area Technical College

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
96 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.

There were about 96 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Chicago in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the criminal justice program make around $36,200 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Loyola University Chicago

18
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
581 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
$29,998 Median Starting Salary

Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public college located in the large city of Indianapolis. This college ranks 13th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 581 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, criminal justice degree recipients usually earn an average of $29,998 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Ivy Tech Community College

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
128 Criminal Justice Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

Ball State is a large public university located in the small city of Muncie. A Best Colleges rank of #205 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ball State is a great university overall.

There were about 128 criminal justice & corrections students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the criminal justice program earn an average of $34,512 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in criminal justice & corrections from Ball State University

Rest of the Top Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Criminal Justice & Corrections students in the Great Lakes Region that almost earned our Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
20 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
21 Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI
22 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
23 Lewis University Romeoville, IL
24 Madonna University Livonia, MI
25 Western Technical College La Crosse, WI

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice & corrections colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 2,094
Ohio 314 2,798
Illinois 304 2,479
Indiana 294 2,197
Wisconsin 273 1,134

View All Rankings >

One of 4 majors within the Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting area of study, Criminal Justice & Corrections has other similar majors worth exploring.

Criminal Justice Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Criminal Justice Studies 5,954
Criminal Justice & Police Science 4,324
Criminal Justice 1,928
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General 540
Corrections 302
Other Corrections & Criminal Justice 228
Securities Services Administration/Management 91
Security & Loss Prevention Services 44
Corrections Administration 27
Juvenile Corrections 13

View All Criminal Justice Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fire Protection 2,280
Security Science and Technology 482
Homeland Security 431
Other Homeland Security 158

View All Criminal Justice Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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