2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in Illinois

1

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

For return on investment in criminal justice & police science, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & police science. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,120 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,763. Set against $9,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kankakee Community College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & police science. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #4 spot this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,727. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

5

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

A rank of #5 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for criminal justice & police science. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $38,474. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

7

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $28,749. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt.

8

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #8 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,750. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Morton College
Cicero, IL

Morton College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $7,734. Early-career criminal justice & police science graduates make about $31,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Rend Lake College
Ina, IL

Rend Lake College earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for criminal justice & police science graduates is $8,688. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the criminal justice & police science program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,489. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.