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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

32 Colleges in the United States
2,423 Criminal Justice & Police Science Degrees Awarded
$44,457 Avg Early-Career Salary

Criminal Justice & Police Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their criminal justice & police science programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 124 schools to find the best for criminal justice & police science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Criminal Justice & Police Science in the Great Lakes Region

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 criminal justice & police science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Criminal Justice & Police Science

1

Leading the list is Fox Valley Technical College, our #1 school for criminal justice & police science. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 178 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $52,156 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,125. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Fox Valley Technical College

2

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $44,966 in their early career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,252 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

3

Students looking for a strong criminal justice & police science program will find one at Madison Area Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 81 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $39,174 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Madison Area Technical College

4

Lansing Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & police science, landing the #4 spot this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. About 43 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Lansing Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Lansing Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Lansing Community College

5
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice & police science, ranking #5. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ferris State University awarded about 207 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Ferris State University earn around $48,266 in the first couple years of their career. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Ferris State University

6

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 74 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College earn around $49,204 in the first couple years of their career. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,537 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Chippewa Valley Technical College

7
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #7 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Cedarville University

8

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 33 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $40,489 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Eastern Illinois University

9

Schoolcraft College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. About 37 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Schoolcraft College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $49,224. Typical student debt for the program is $11,868. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Schoolcraft College

10
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis came in at #10 for criminal justice & police science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 27 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at University Of Indianapolis in the most recent year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $44,418 early in their careers. University Of Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $26,324 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for University Of Indianapolis

11

Gateway Technical College placed #11 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 68 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Technical College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $56,350 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,084. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Gateway Technical College

12
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #12 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 17 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $38,474. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Harper College

13

Waukesha County Technical College earned the #13 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Waukesha County Technical College awarded about 54 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $55,353 in their early career. Waukesha County Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Waukesha County Technical College

14

Moraine Valley Community College placed #14 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. About 36 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice & police science degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $43,844 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,149. See the full criminal justice & police science program report for Moraine Valley Community College

15
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. About 124 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Oakland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $51,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,506. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Oakland Community College

16

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #16 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. About 56 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $36,713. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

17

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #17 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. There were roughly 30 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $38,595 in their early career. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $7,149 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Cuyahoga Community College District

18

Western Technical College La Cross earned the #18 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. About 39 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at Western Technical College La Cross in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $59,276 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,494 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Western Technical College La Cross

19
Mid State Technical College crest
Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College came in at #19 for criminal justice & police science this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Mid State Technical College awarded about 44 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $41,678 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Mid State Technical College

20
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College earned the #20 position for criminal justice & police science this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. There were roughly 54 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Delta College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $44,637 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,784 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Delta College

21

North Central State College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mansfield. About 32 criminal justice & police science degrees were awarded at North Central State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice & police science program make about $50,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,782 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for North Central State College

22

Blackhawk Technical College earned the #22 position for criminal justice & police science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Janesville. Blackhawk Technical College awarded about 42 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $54,417. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice & police science program at Blackhawk Technical College

23

Elgin Community College landed the #23 spot for criminal justice & police science this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 criminal justice & police science students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice & Police Science graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice & police science details for Elgin Community College

24

Washtenaw Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice & police science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 67 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $67,732. Typical student debt for the program is $28,059. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Washtenaw Community College

25
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #25 among the best criminal justice & police science schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. About 3% of students finish within six years. Vincennes University awarded about 25 criminal justice & police science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & police science degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $40,696. Students borrow a median of $17,587 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice & police science from Vincennes University

Rest of the Top 46 Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong criminal justice & police science education:

26
27
28
29
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
30
31
32
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
33
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
34
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH
35
36
37
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
38
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH
39
40
41
42
43
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
44
45
Lake Michigan College crest
Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI
46
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Narrow Criminal Justice & Police Science Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 124 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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