2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
Oakland Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $13,506. Criminal Justice graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,827 early in their careers. Set against $13,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $6,964 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $26,336. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Triton College one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice will find it at Northwestern Michigan College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $17,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $57,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the criminal justice program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 program here. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. 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. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $24,471 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Stark State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $16,350 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $35,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #12 for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $20,300. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $46,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. 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, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $23,950. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #14 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $45,140. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ferris State University landed the #15 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $48,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $16,779. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $40,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $51,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University East came in at #18 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,686 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $45,204 early in their careers. Set against $28,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Clark State Community College placed #19 among the best values for criminal justice. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $15,522. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $39,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College landed the #20 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $16,291. Criminal Justice graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay De Noc Community College placed #21 among the best values for criminal justice. Located in the town of Escanaba, Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,453 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bay De Noc Community College generally make around $39,075. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #22 position for value in criminal justice this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $49,533. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Zane State College came in at #23 for value in criminal justice this year. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $8,556. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $35,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $39,384. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #25 spot for criminal justice value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $54,785. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
- 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.
