2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $28,059. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $67,732. That is a strong return on a $28,059 median debt.

3

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice studies. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $10,252 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $44,966 early in their careers. Set against $10,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $7,500. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #6 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

7

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Gateway Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,084. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $56,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Marion Technical College
Marion, OH

Marion Technical College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $11,828. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $22,418. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,418 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

Indiana University Northwest ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $24,471. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

11

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,902. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI

Southwestern Michigan College placed #12 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $16,575. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $18,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,027. Set against $18,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI

Waukesha County Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $16,813 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $55,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $38,399. Set against $16,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #16 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $14,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $33,881. That is a strong return on a $14,215 median debt.

17

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $22,889 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $42,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

18

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast earned the #18 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $23,950. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $41,898. Set against $23,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College
Batavia, OH

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice Studies graduates carry a median of $16,799 in student loans. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $38,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $20,745. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $42,342 early in their careers. Set against $20,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

21

Kishwaukee College
Malta, IL

Kishwaukee College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for criminal justice studies graduates is $8,478. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.

23

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend came in at #23 for value in criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $17,275 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $35,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,275 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.

24

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #24 among the best values for criminal justice studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Early-career criminal justice studies graduates make about $46,011. That is a strong return on a $20,300 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

25

Mid State Technical College
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Mid State Technical College landed the #25 spot for criminal justice studies value this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the criminal justice studies program here. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.