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Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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2023 Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region

289 Colleges
$36,578 Avg Salary
$23,701 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Criminal Justice & Corrections 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 289 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs were the most popular 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 .

#1

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, IN

Our 2023 rankings named Purdue University Global the most popular school in the Great Lakes Region for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Purdue University Global is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Purdue University Global carry an average student debt load of $31,610.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Purdue University Global

#2

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Ivy Tech Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ivy Tech Community College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Indianapolis.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Ivy Tech Community College accumulate an average of around $13,810 in student debt.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Ivy Tech Community College

The excellent programs at Eastern Gateway Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best criminal justice and corrections schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the small city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a public school with a very large student population.

Read More…

#4

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

The excellent programs at Ferris State University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best criminal justice and corrections schools in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the distant town of Big Rapids, Ferris is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Ferris carry an average student debt load of $22,017. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $175.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, UC is a public college with a very large student population.

Criminal Justice majors at UC take out an average of $18,588 in student loans while working on their egree. 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

Sinclair Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Sinclair Community College is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Dayton.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Sinclair Community College take out $12,749 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

Western Illinois University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. WIU is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at WIU take out is $25,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $218, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Western Illinois University Report

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. SWIC is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Belleville.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at SWIC take out is $9,500.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Southwestern Illinois College Report

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public college with a very large student population.

Criminal Justice majors at UIC take out an average of $17,750 in student loans while working on their egree. 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 ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that criminal justice majors at Kent State take out is $25,438. 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…

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public college with a very large student population.

Criminal Justice majors at Michigan State take out an average of $25,849 in student loans while working on their egree. 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 More…

#12

Union Institute & University

Cincinnati, OH

Union Institute & University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the large city of Cincinnati, Union is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Union carry an average student debt load of $19,801.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Union Institute & University Report

Gateway Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #13 on the list. Gateway Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kenosha.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Gateway Technical College accumulate an average of around $12,204 in student debt.

Read More…

Illinois State University landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Illinois State carry an average student debt load of $20,712. 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

Grand Valley State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #15 on the list. GVSU is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Allendale.

Criminal Justice majors at GVSU take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $230, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Grand Valley State University

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #16 on the list. IUPUI is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Indianapolis.

Criminal Justice majors at IUPUI take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $107.

Read More…

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #16 on the list. UW - Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville.

Criminal Justice majors at UW - Platteville take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $166, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at University of Wisconsin - Platteville

#18

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Lewis University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Romeoville, Lewis is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Lewis accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Criminal Justice & Corrections at Lewis University

#19

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ball State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Muncie.

Criminal Justice majors at Ball State take out an average of $24,000 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $204.

Read More…

With a ranking of #19, Fox Valley Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. FVTC is a large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Appleton.

On average, criminal justice graduates from FVTC take out $13,175 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#21

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, MI

With a ranking of #21, Oakland Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for criminal justice and corrections students. Located in the large suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Oakland Community College is a public school with a large student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at Oakland Community College accumulate an average of around $19,655 in student debt.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Oakland Community College Report

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, criminal justice graduates from Wayne State take out $27,075 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $205.

Read More…

#23

University of Toledo

Toledo, OH

University of Toledo ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Toledo.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from University of Toledo carry an average student debt load of $24,797. 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

#24

Youngstown State University

Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown.

After completing their degree, criminal justice graduates from Youngstown State University carry an average student debt load of $25,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $118.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Youngstown State University Report

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular criminal justice and corrections programs. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, criminal justice majors at IU Bloomington accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $224.

Full Criminal Justice & Corrections at Indiana University - Bloomington Report

#28

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN
#30

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, OH
#31

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI
#36

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI
#36

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI
#42

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, IL
#42

Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
45 Aurora University Aurora, IL
45 Blackhawk Technical College Janesville, WI
47 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI
48 Butler Tech - D Russel Lee Career Center Hamilton, OH
49 Mid-State Technical College Wisconsin Rapids, WI
50 Madonna University Livonia, MI
51 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI
51 Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
51 Baker College Owosso, MI
51 Tiffin University Tiffin, OH
55 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI
56 College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
56 Governors State University University Park, IL
56 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
56 Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI

Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges by State

Explore the best criminal justice and corrections colleges 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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