Criminal Justice Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for criminal justice studies students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Law Enforcement (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Criminology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Criminology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Best Schools for Criminal Justice Studies 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 studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Indiana University Bloomington this year for criminal justice studies. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $35,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,464 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Indiana University Bloomington
Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 170 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $37,584 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,531.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 134 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $34,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Aurora University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice studies, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 60 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,150 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,635.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Aurora University
A rank of #5 makes Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College one of the top schools for criminal justice studies. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. About 17 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn around $44,966 in the first couple years of their career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $10,252 in student loans.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #6 for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 14 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from University Of Detroit Mercy
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph came in at #7 for criminal justice studies this year. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Whiting. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 71 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn around $55,587 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,856.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #8 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 85 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $46,011 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,300 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Lewis University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 93 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $66,865 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Lewis University
Siena Heights University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 29 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Siena Heights University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $67,009. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Siena Heights University
Ball State University placed #11 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 86 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,991 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,367.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for Ball State University
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #12 position for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates 54% of students within six years. About 46 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn around $39,394 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 108 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $36,468. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Central Michigan University placed #14 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 30 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Central Michigan University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #15 spot for criminal justice studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 50 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $41,258 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Northeastern Illinois University placed #16 among the best criminal justice studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 34 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $40,719. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Northeastern Illinois University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #17 among the best criminal justice studies schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 286 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $49,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,253 to complete this degree.
See the full criminal justice studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Dayton earned the #18 position for criminal justice studies this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 47 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice studies degree from University Of Dayton earn around $25,150 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at University Of Dayton
Saint Xavier University earned the #19 position for criminal justice studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $39,033. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Saint Xavier University
Ohio University Main Campus placed #20 among the best criminal justice studies schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $44,159 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 26 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,418 to complete this degree.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for University Of Illinois At Springfield
Gateway Technical College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice studies this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. About 35 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $56,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,084 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Gateway Technical College
Benedictine University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 10 criminal justice studies degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice Studies graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $46,020 early in their careers. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,979 in student loans.
More information about a degree in criminal justice studies from Benedictine University
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #24 position for criminal justice studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 79 criminal justice studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $48,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full criminal justice studies details for University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. About 61 criminal justice studies degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice studies program make about $38,027 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,082.
Read more about the criminal justice studies program at Milwaukee Area Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Criminal Justice Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s criminal justice studies ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 126 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).
