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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

122 Colleges in the United States
$20,201 Avg Student Debt
$47,363 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Badge [Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 285 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

1

Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $28,059 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $67,732. That is a strong return on a $28,059 median debt.

4
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

A rank of #4 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,506 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $51,827. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.

5

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $7,149. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,595. That is a strong return on a $7,149 median debt.

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Henry Ford Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $26,336. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Schoolcraft College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,868. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $49,224 early in their careers. Set against $11,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,120 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $31,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

North Central State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,782. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $50,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Macomb Community College came in at #10 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,964 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.

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Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College placed #11 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.

13

Elgin Community College came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #15 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $38,474. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Kankakee Community College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.

17
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $9,784 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Delta College earn a median of $44,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Joliet Junior College landed the #18 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,995. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Lorain County Community College came in at #19 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.

20

Northwestern Michigan College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northwestern Michigan College earn a median of $57,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,694 median debt.

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Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Marion Technical College landed the #22 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt.

24
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. That is a strong return on a $20,432 median debt.

25

Sinclair Community College came in at #25 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,054. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,888. Set against $11,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for criminal justice & corrections this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
35
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
44
45
46
47
48
49
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
50

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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 · 285 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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