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Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region

147 Colleges
$34,809 Avg Salary
$30,696 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree School for You

With 113,121 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, criminal justice and corrections is the #7 most popular major in the United States.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This report analyzed 147 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Criminal Justice & Corrections program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for criminal justice majors pursuing a bachelor's degree.

#1

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis found Purdue University Global to be the most popular school for criminal justice and corrections students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public school with a very large student population.

About 48% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 52% are male.

Criminal Justice majors at Purdue University Global take out an average of $39,801 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read More…

#2

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

Out of the 147 schools in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ferris State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris is a public school with a large student population.

About 58% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 42% are male.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Ferris take out $27,240 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $197.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Illinois University is a great place for criminal justice and corrections students working on their bachelor’s degree. WIU is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Macomb.

About 41% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 59% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice majors at WIU accumulate an average of around $25,672 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $218, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Western Illinois University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public school with a very large student population.

About 58% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 42% are male.

On average, criminal justice graduates from UC take out $25,987 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $376.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Report

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Illinois at Chicago is a great place for criminal justice and corrections students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the city of Chicago, UIC is a public college with a very large student population.

About 63% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 38% are male.

Criminal Justice majors at UIC take out an average of $18,447 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $178.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Illinois at Chicago Report

Kent State University at Kent landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the large suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 60% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice graduates from Kent State carry an average student debt load of $28,289. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $248, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Union Institute & University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Union is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Women make up 19% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

Criminal Justice majors at Union take out an average of $21,912 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Union Institute & University

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Of the 158 students majoring in criminal justice at Michigan State, 40% are male and 60% are female.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Michigan State take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,473. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $398.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Michigan State University

Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for criminal justice and corrections students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. GVSU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Allendale.

Women make up 61% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at GVSU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $25,092. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $230, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Illinois State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

About 46% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 54% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice graduates from Illinois State carry an average student debt load of $21,231. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Illinois State University Report

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students working on their bachelor’s degree. IUPUI is a very large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Of the 141 students majoring in criminal justice at IUPUI, 51% are male and 49% are female.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at IUPUI take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $22,586. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $107.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Report

#12

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

With a ranking of #12, Ball State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students working on their bachelor’s degree. Ball State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Muncie.

Women make up 62% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Ball State take out $23,158 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $204.

Read More…

#13

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH

University of Toledo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for criminal justice and corrections students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. University of Toledo is a large public school located in the large city of Toledo.

Women make up 50% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at University of Toledo take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $26,243. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $144, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Toledo Report

University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UW - Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville.

About 51% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 49% are male.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice majors at UW - Platteville accumulate an average of around $24,265 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $166, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Wisconsin - Platteville Report

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public school with a very large student population.

About 64% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 36% are male.

After completing their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice graduates from IU Bloomington carry an average student debt load of $18,847. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $224.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Indiana University - Bloomington

With a ranking of #16, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in the town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 51% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at BGSU take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,318. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $364.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for criminal justice and corrections students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. UWM is a fairly large public school located in the city of Milwaukee.

Women make up 54% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

Criminal Justice majors at UWM take out an average of $27,606 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $186.

Read More…

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Kalamazoo, WMU is a public school with a large student population.

Women make up 56% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice majors at WMU accumulate an average of around $28,539 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $227, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Western Michigan University

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 70% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Wayne State take out $28,943 in student loans while working on their Bachelor's Degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $205.

Read More…

#20

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school located in the city of Youngstown.

Of the 104 students majoring in criminal justice at Youngstown State University, 40% are male and 60% are female.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Youngstown State University take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $27,513. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $118.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Youngstown State University

#21

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the large suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

Women make up 46% of the criminal justice majors at the school.

While working on their Bachelor's Degree, criminal justice majors at Lewis accumulate an average of around $22,548 in student debt.

Read More…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, SIUE is a public college with a fairly large student population.

About 54% of the students majoring in criminal justice at the school are women while 46% are male.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at SIUE take out while working on their Bachelor's Degree is $24,548. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $179.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
23 Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
23 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI
25 University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH
26 Aurora University Aurora, IL
27 Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
28 Vincennes University Vincennes, IN
29 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice and corrections schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 2,094
Ohio 2,805
Illinois 2,483
Indiana 2,249
Wisconsin 1,134

Criminal Justice & Corrections is one of 4 different types of programs to choose from.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fire Protection 13,766
Homeland Security 7,140
Security Science and Technology 6,888
Other Homeland Security 1,695

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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.

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