2026 Best Criminal Justice Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in criminal justice. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 235 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $57,913 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Michigan State University

2

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at Aurora University, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Aurora University awarded about 23 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $44,150 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Aurora University

3

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #3. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 107 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $39,857 early in their careers. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminal justice program at Grand Valley State University

4

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminal justice, ranking #4. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice 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 details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

5

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Students looking for a strong criminal justice program will find one at Ferris State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. Ferris State University awarded about 34 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $48,266 early in their careers. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $21,880 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Ferris State University

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #6 among the best criminal justice schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 200 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $45,140 early in their careers. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Western Illinois University

7

Macomb Community College
Warren, MI

Macomb Community College came in at #7 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Macomb Community College awarded about 16 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Macomb Community College graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Macomb Community College

8

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University landed the #8 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. About 50% of students finish within six years. Lake Superior State University awarded about 38 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $44,286 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,614 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State University

9

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #9 position for criminal justice this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 23 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $38,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Elmhurst College

10

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College placed #10 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. About 26 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Oakland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Oakland Community College earn around $51,827 in the first couple years of their career. Oakland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Oakland Community College

11

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University placed #11 among the best criminal justice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. About 186 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminal justice degree from Franklin University earn around $38,103 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete this degree. See the full criminal justice program report for Franklin University

12

Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College earned the #12 position for criminal justice this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $39,551 early in their careers. Carthage College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Carthage College

13

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 15 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the criminal justice program at Bradley University

14

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University earned the #14 position for criminal justice this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. Ashland University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 19 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $42,172. Ashland University graduates carry a median of $29,406 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Ashland University

15

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University earned the #15 position for criminal justice this year. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Tiffin University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $53,145. Students borrow a median of $30,758 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Tiffin University

16

Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College landed the #16 spot for criminal justice this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. About 12 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Owens Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $51,319. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Owens Community College

17

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College landed the #17 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. Stark State College awarded about 18 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,014. Stark State College graduates carry a median of $16,350 in student loans. See the full criminal justice program report for Stark State College

18

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College earned the #18 position for criminal justice this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. About 167 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Triton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $43,278 in their early career. Triton College graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Triton College

19

Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global came in at #19 for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. Purdue University Global graduates 33% of students within six years. Purdue University Global awarded about 44 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $52,005 in their early career. Purdue University Global graduates carry a median of $25,137 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Purdue University Global

20

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 27 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Indiana University Kokomo in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full criminal justice program report for Indiana University Kokomo

21

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 22 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Henry Ford Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminal justice program make about $26,336 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,200. More information about a degree in criminal justice from Henry Ford Community College

22

Indiana University East
Richmond, IN

Indiana University East came in at #22 for criminal justice this year. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. About 39% of students finish within six years. Indiana University East awarded about 50 criminal justice degrees in the most recent data year. Criminal Justice graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $45,204 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,686. See the full criminal justice program report for Indiana University East

23

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College placed #23 among the best criminal justice schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full criminal justice details for Southwestern Illinois College

24

Miami University Hamilton
Hamilton, OH

Miami University Hamilton landed the #24 spot for criminal justice this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Hamilton. About 24% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 criminal justice students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Hamilton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $36,612. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete this degree. Get the full criminal justice details for Miami University Hamilton

25

Adrian College
Adrian, MI

Adrian College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 14 criminal justice degrees were awarded at Adrian College in the most recent year. Criminal Justice graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $34,112 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminal justice program at Adrian College