Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 20 colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,938 recent graduates. Graduates earn $35,428 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,693.

School choice matters significantly: Governors State University graduates earn $39,663 while Olivet Nazarene University graduates earn $27,823 — a $11,840 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

20
Schools in IL
$35,428
IL Avg. Earnings
$34,693
National Avg.
663
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois

Public Schools (8)
$35,713
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (11)
$35,292
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

#1
G

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$39,663
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,493
Graduates: 68
Acceptance: N/A
#2
N

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$39,153
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $40,705
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 72.8%
#3
B

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.7%
#4
R

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,505
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 94.3%
#5
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$37,821
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $38,130
Graduates: 508
Acceptance: 75.0%
#6
U

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$37,748
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,652
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 84.4%
#7
S

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$36,914
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,961
Graduates: 142
Acceptance: 97.2%
#8
E

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

$36,401
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,970
Graduates: 33
Acceptance: 75.7%
#9
L

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$35,954
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,200
Graduates: 99
Acceptance: 81.4%
#10
L

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$35,861
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,463
Graduates: 55
Acceptance: 72.7%
#11
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$35,274
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,805
Graduates: 216
Acceptance: 89.0%
#12
E

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

$35,060
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,898
Graduates: 17
Acceptance: 88.5%
#13
U

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL · Private

$35,060
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.9%
#14
N

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$34,847
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $32,597
Graduates: 97
Acceptance: 70.4%
#15
D

DeVry University-Illinois

Lisle, IL · For-Profit

$34,650
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,292
Graduates: 148
Acceptance: 43.3%
#16
U

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,572
Graduates: 211
Acceptance: 78.5%
#17
S

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,510
Graduates: 52
Acceptance: 85.8%
#18
A

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$32,332
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $33,959
Graduates: 93
Acceptance: 85.1%
#19
C

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL · Public

$29,443
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,389
Graduates: 43
Acceptance: 40.5%
#20
O

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$27,823
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,059
Graduates: 36
Acceptance: 66.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois?
Governors State University ranks #1 for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $39,663 within two years of graduation. There are 20 schools offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state.
How much do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earn in Illinois?
Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates in Illinois earn an average of $35,428 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $34,693 for this major.
What is the hardest Criminal Justice and Corrections school to get into in Illinois?
Chicago State University is the most selective Criminal Justice and Corrections program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 40.5%. The average acceptance rate across Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state is 75.9%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois?
In Illinois, private Criminal Justice and Corrections programs produce average earnings of $35,292 vs $35,713 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 11 private options in the state.

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.