Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 23 colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,987 recent graduates. Graduates earn $35,428 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,543.

Schools in IL

$35,428

IL Avg. Earnings

$34,543

National Avg.

742

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois

Public Schools (8)

$35,713

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (14)

$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

Trinity Christian College

Palos Heights, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 88.6%

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$39,153

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,705

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 72.8%

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$37,821

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,130

Graduates: 508

Acceptance: 75.0%

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,505

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 94.3%

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,792

Graduates: 49

Acceptance: 77.2%

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$35,861

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,463

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 72.7%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$35,274

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,805

Graduates: 216

Acceptance: 89.0%

University of St Francis

Joliet, IL · Private

$35,060

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 63.9%

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

$32,332

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,959

Graduates: 93

Acceptance: 85.1%

#10

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,572

Graduates: 211

Acceptance: 78.5%

#11

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$35,954

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,200

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 81.4%

#13

DeVry University-Illinois

Lisle, IL · For-Profit

$34,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,292

Graduates: 148

Acceptance: 43.3%

#14

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$36,914

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,961

Graduates: 142

Acceptance: 97.2%

#15

Chicago State University

Chicago, IL · Public

$29,443

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,389

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 40.5%

#16

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,510

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 85.8%

#17

Governors State University

University Park, IL · Public

$39,663

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,493

Graduates: 68

Acceptance: N/A

#18

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,652

Graduates: 48

Acceptance: 84.4%

#19

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$34,847

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,597

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 70.4%

#20

Eureka College

Eureka, IL · Private

$35,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,898

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 88.5%

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$27,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,059

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 66.9%

#22

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

$36,401

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,970

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 75.7%

#23

Blackburn College

Carlinville, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 80.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois?

Trinity Christian College ranks #1 for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Illinois with median graduate earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. There are 23 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 3% above the national average of $34,543 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 76.7%.

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 14 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.