2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminology Schools
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #2 place for criminology. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,970 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $44,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,970 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
National Louis University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $30,170 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #4 place for criminology. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Criminology graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #6 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $45,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #7 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $40,060. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University earned the #8 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $31,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for criminology value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Criminology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cleveland State University came in at #10 for value in criminology this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,000. Early-career criminology graduates make about $32,393. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for criminology. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Criminology graduates carry a median of $21,922 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $39,396. That is a strong return on a $21,922 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in criminology this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $36,891 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for criminology. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,250. Early-career criminology graduates make about $37,476. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois College landed the #14 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,676. Students borrow a median of $26,922 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Illinois College earn a median of $41,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #15 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Criminology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $49,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Otterbein University landed the #16 spot for criminology value this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,282. Criminology graduates of Otterbein University earn a median of $45,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,282 median debt. Otterbein University admits about 84% of applicants.
Valparaiso University earned the #17 position for value in criminology this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $30,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University earned the #18 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,338. Criminology graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,036 to complete the criminology program here. Early-career criminology graduates make about $58,852. That is a strong return on a $26,036 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rockford College placed #20 among the best values for criminology. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $37,780. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University landed the #21 spot for criminology value this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminology program here. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $32,984. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Criminology graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Criminology graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $57,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland College landed the #23 spot for criminology value this year. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $33,396 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $26,053. Criminology graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $45,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,053 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University placed #24 among the best values for criminology. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $52,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #25 spot for criminology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,390 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Criminology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminology value ranking:
Narrow Criminology Schools by State
More Criminology Rankings
View All Criminology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- 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.
