2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Wisconsin
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools.
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2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice & corrections schools in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $10,252 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,966. Set against $10,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in criminal justice & corrections will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Students borrow a median of $16,084 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $56,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,082 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #4 spot this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $16,813. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $55,353. That is a strong return on a $16,813 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nicolet Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $53,660. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #6 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $42,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $36,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $52,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #9 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $14,937. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $54,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College placed #10 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #11 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $13,537. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $49,204. That is a strong return on a $13,537 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $49,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #13 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,174. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #14 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,494. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $59,276. That is a strong return on a $15,494 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #15 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $48,228. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $39,394. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #17 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,715 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $38,640 early in their careers. Set against $25,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #18 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,258. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,110. Students borrow a median of $26,916 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $54,908. Set against $26,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wisconsin Lutheran College admits about 78% of applicants.
Marian University Wisconsin earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,242. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Marian University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Carthage College came in at #21 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $39,551. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $41,527. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Wisconsin admits about 78% of applicants.
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
