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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in Illinois
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
Leading the list is Triton College, our #1 best value for criminal justice in Illinois. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kaskaskia College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $7,875. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #4 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $45,140. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Aurora University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $44,150. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Maccormac College placed #6 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Chicago, Maccormac College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,700. Students borrow a median of $22,366 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $28,031. That is a strong return on a $22,366 median debt.
Elmhurst College placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,000. Criminal Justice graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $38,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Greenville College earned the #8 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $25,933 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.
Bradley University landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Devry University Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $54,985 to complete the criminal justice program here. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,091. Set against $54,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Devry University Illinois admits about 98% of applicants.
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
