Best criminal justice colleges in Illinois

Criminal justice bachelor graduates in Illinois earn a weighted average salary of $50,221 3 years after graduation. This places Illinois graduate earnings in the top 50% nationally. Additionally, criminal justice graduates earn 11% less than the total graduating bachelor class in the state.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

Our criminal justice rankings cover 19 of the 23 programs available in Illinois, accounting for 95% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or cost data.

Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

Read more
Filters
  • Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Illinois
  • Criminal Justice
  • Clear all filters
Sort By
Cost
Earnings
Rankings
Ranking methodology

19 Results

#1 in Illinois | #10 in Criminal Justice nationally

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Economic score 2.53

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $22,415

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $66,495

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Elmhurst University is a private university in Elmhurst, Illinois. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Elmhurst's Major in Criminal Justice is perfect for those who wish to pursue a career in advocacy, teaching, law enforcement, academics, or the law.  

Students complete core courses such as theories of criminology, introduction to the criminal justice system, and methods of social research. They also choose courses from electives like juvenile delinquency, gender and crime, social and criminal justice policy, corrections, law and politics, and criminal investigations. 

...  See more
#2 in Illinois | #12 in Criminal Justice nationally
Economic score 2.61

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,990

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $57,113

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 57%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#3 in Illinois | #16 in Criminal Justice nationally

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 2.76

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,688

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $56,487

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 62%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Saint Xavier University, or SXU, is a private Roman Catholic-affiliated university in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846.  Students who pursue a B.A. in Criminal Justice at Saint Xavier explore the main branches of the criminal justice system and develop insight into the moral, philosophical, historical, and scientific underpinnings of criminal justice topics. 

Students gain hands-on experience through local internships and take a trip to Washington D.C. Graduates typically go on to work in corrections, probation, law enforcement, law, and victims' services. 

...  See more
#4 in Illinois | #28 in Criminal Justice nationally

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Economic score 3.08

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,833

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,833

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 55%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Governors State University (GSU or GovState) is a public university in University Park, Illinois, just outside Chicago. It offers a highly respected Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Students learn about the causes of crime through several theoretical approaches, as well as the intersection of crime with issues like race, class, and gender. Students may also choose to pursue a concentration in restorative justice. Graduates of GSU’s criminal justice program are well prepared for careers in law enforcement, corrections, security, or advocacy.  

...  See more
#5 in Illinois | #31 in Criminal Justice nationally
Economic score 3.27

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $12,446

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,476

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#6 in Illinois | #41 in Criminal Justice nationally

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Economic score 3.62

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $18,815

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $58,259

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 67%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#7 in Illinois | #69 in Criminal Justice nationally
Economic score 4.47

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,139

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $49,977

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 72%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#8 in Illinois | #97 in Criminal Justice nationally

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 5.26

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $35,555

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $61,200

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 73%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#9 in Illinois | #99 in Criminal Justice nationally
Economic score 5.29

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $19,966

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $54,043

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#10 in Illinois | #110 in Criminal Justice nationally
Economic score 5.57

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $11,807

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $48,147

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 63%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#11 in Illinois | #195 in Criminal Justice nationally

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 8.36

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $21,110

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $49,556

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#12 in Illinois | #226 in Criminal Justice nationally

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Economic score 9.61

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,977

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,449

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 73%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#13 in Illinois | #255 in Criminal Justice nationally

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Economic score 11.49

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $23,005

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $47,789

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 77%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#14 in Illinois | #332 in Criminal Justice nationally

Benedictine University

Lisle, Illinois

Economic score 41.25

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $25,723

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $41,792

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 54%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#15 in Illinois | #338 in Criminal Justice nationally

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Economic score 53.91

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $20,564

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $40,373

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 66%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#16 in Illinois | #348 in Criminal Justice nationally

Greenville University

Greenville, Illinois

Economic score 191.38

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $20,130

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $39,034

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 58%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Economic score 5.17

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $13,209

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $50,801

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 47%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Economic score 11.07

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $6,916

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $42,025

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 35%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

DeVry University, Illinois

Naperville, Illinois

Economic score 16.44

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $29,955

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $46,188

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Graduation rate 32%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.