2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Illinois
[Criminology](/majors/social-sciences/criminology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value criminology schools.
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2027 Best Value Criminology Schools in Illinois
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
National Louis University earned the #1 spot for value among criminology schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Criminology graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $30,170. Set against $23,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Dominican University one of the best values for criminology. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place for criminology. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for criminology. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the criminology program here. Criminology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois College earned it the #5 place for criminology. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Set against $26,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Millikin University came in at #6 for value in criminology this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Criminology graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. Early-career criminology graduates make about $58,852. That is a strong return on a $26,036 median debt. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Benedictine University earned the #7 position for value in criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,648. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,338. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rockford College came in at #8 for value in criminology this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $28,094. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminology graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
