2026 Best Criminology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for criminology. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 190 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in criminology, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 162 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $39,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,922 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in criminology from Ohio State University Main Campus

3

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Students looking for a strong criminology program will find one at Marquette University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. Marquette University awarded about 42 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $35,650 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the criminology program at Marquette University

4

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

A rank of #4 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the top schools for criminology. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $57,019. Typical student debt for the program is $25,449. See the full criminology program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

5

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

A rank of #5 makes Depaul University one of the top schools for criminology. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 54 criminology degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. More information about a degree in criminology from Depaul University

6

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University placed #6 among the best criminology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Butler University awarded about 16 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. Get the full criminology details for Butler University

7

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. About 19 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn around $45,113 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750. See the full criminology program report for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

8

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $37,645 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

9

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $49,004 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Wisconsin Stout

10

Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College came in at #10 for criminology this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Rockford College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. Typical student debt for the program is $28,094. Get the full criminology details for Rockford College

11

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #11 among the best criminology schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 44 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Criminology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $40,060 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

12

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 13 criminology degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Northern Illinois University

13

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #13 position for criminology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 49 criminology degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $30,170. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete this degree. Get the full criminology details for National Louis University

14

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #14 spot for criminology this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 58 criminology students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $32,393 in their early career. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for Cleveland State University

15

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #15 spot for criminology this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. Indiana State University awarded about 99 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $44,201. Typical student debt for the program is $24,970. More information about a degree in criminology from Indiana State University

16

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University placed #16 among the best criminology schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Decatur. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Millikin University awarded about 14 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $58,852 in their early career. Millikin University graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. See the full criminology program report for Millikin University

17

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #17 among the best criminology schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 criminology degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent year. Graduates of the criminology program make about $62,536 in their early career. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for University Of Michigan Dearborn

18

Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University came in at #18 for criminology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Columbus. About 60% of students finish within six years. Capital University awarded about 16 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Capital University earn around $32,984 in the first couple years of their career. Capital University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the criminology program at Capital University

19

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University landed the #19 spot for criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 70% of students finish within six years. Valparaiso University awarded about 10 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Criminology graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $30,653 early in their careers. Valparaiso University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in criminology from Valparaiso University

20

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #20 for criminology this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 criminology degrees were awarded at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $36,891. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. More information about a degree in criminology from Eastern Michigan University

21

Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Lakeland College awarded about 12 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Lakeland College earn around $45,276 in the first couple years of their career. Lakeland College graduates carry a median of $26,053 in student loans. Get the full criminology details for Lakeland College

22

Saint Mary Of The Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN

Saint Mary Of The Woods College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best criminology schools. Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods. About 46% of students finish within six years. Saint Mary Of The Woods College awarded about 14 criminology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, criminology degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $48,088. Typical student debt for the program is $28,366. See the full criminology program report for Saint Mary Of The Woods College

23

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus came in at #23 for criminology this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 30 criminology degrees were awarded at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their criminology degree from Wright State University Main Campus earn around $37,476 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete this degree. See the full criminology program report for Wright State University Main Campus