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Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Illinois

The best colleges for a Criminal Justice degree in Illinois, led by Loyola University Chicago, Western Illinois University and Lewis University. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Criminal Justice programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Criminal Justice in Illinois?

Based on our rankings, Loyola University Chicago is the top-ranked college for Criminal Justice in Illinois. Other top choices include Western Illinois University, Lewis University, Olivet Nazarene University.

What are the best Criminal Justice schools?

The best Criminal Justice schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are Loyola University Chicago, Western Illinois University, Lewis University. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Criminal Justice?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Criminal Justice programs is approximately $31,624 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Criminal Justice degree?

A bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Criminal Justice rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Criminal Justice programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $56,337 per year. Below are the highest-paying Criminal Justice programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL · 81.6% acceptance · SAT 1,297 · $53,710 tuition · 73% grad rate
  2. 2. Western Illinois University — Macomb, IL · 71.2% acceptance · $15,264 tuition · 45% grad rate
  3. 3. Lewis University — Romeoville, IL · 71.3% acceptance · SAT 1,096 · $39,200 tuition · 67% grad rate
  4. 4. Olivet Nazarene University — Bourbonnais, IL · 55.9% acceptance · SAT 1,117 · $38,900 tuition · 61% grad rate
  5. 5. Northeastern Illinois University — Chicago, IL · 74.6% acceptance · $22,726 tuition · 22% grad rate
  6. 6. Elmhurst University — Elmhurst, IL · 73.6% acceptance · SAT 1,151 · $42,955 tuition · 70% grad rate
  7. 7. Chicago State University — Chicago, IL · 43.3% acceptance · $12,754 tuition · 15% grad rate
  8. 8. Eureka College — Eureka, IL · 85% acceptance · $29,096 tuition · 42% grad rate
  9. 9. Blackburn College — Carlinville, IL · 63.2% acceptance · $28,149 tuition · 57% grad rate
  10. 10. Benedictine University — Lisle, IL · 95.2% acceptance · $35,940 tuition · 50% grad rate
  11. 11. Aurora University — Aurora, IL · 80.9% acceptance · SAT 1,076 · $29,170 tuition · 60% grad rate

Best Colleges for Criminal Justice in Illinois on PickACampus