2027 Best Criminology Schools in Illinois
Criminology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best criminology schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Criminology 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 criminology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Criminology
Depaul University tops our 2027 ranking of the best criminology schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Depaul University earn around $55,390 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete this degree.
See the full criminology program report for Depaul University
Benedictine University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminology, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 21 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338.
More information about a degree in criminology from Benedictine University
A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the top schools for criminology. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 93 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,645. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
See the full criminology program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Illinois College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminology, landing the #4 spot this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Jacksonville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois College awarded about 11 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Illinois College earn around $41,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,922.
Get the full criminology details for Illinois College
Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at National Louis University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. National Louis University awarded about 40 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $30,170 in their early career. National Louis University graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans.
See the full criminology program report for National Louis University
Rockford College landed the #6 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 14 criminology degrees were awarded at Rockford College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Rockford College earn around $56,020 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,094.
Read more about the criminology program at Rockford College
Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best criminology schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 28 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $52,308 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans.
See the full criminology program report for Northern Illinois University
Millikin University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 12 criminology degrees were awarded at Millikin University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $58,852 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,036 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminology details for Millikin University
Dominican University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dominican University awarded about 10 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $31,758. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full criminology program report for Dominican University
More Criminology Rankings
View All Criminology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.