Best Criminal Justice Schools In Illinois

If you are interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, a degree can improve your chances of successfully getting hired. Whether you are most interested in fighting crime in the field or performing analysis in the lab, there are numerous Illinois criminal justice programs available to help you prepare for your desired profession. A number of schools in Illinois also offer online criminal justice programs, including Benedictine University, Lewis University, and Loyola University Chicago.

Quick Facts

There are 81 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Illinois (see below).¹
47 colleges and universities offer associate's degrees in criminal justice.*¹
32 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.*¹
13 colleges and universities offer master's or doctoral degrees in criminal justice.*¹
20 colleges and universities offer criminal justice degree programs online.*¹
1 school ranked in Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.²
8 schools ranked in College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges in 2018.³
No schools ranked in Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs in 2018.⁴
No schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in 2018.⁵

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.

Featured Online Programs

Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Illinois

A criminal justice degree is often a requirement for government positions in Illinois' criminal justice system. The training received through a bachelor's degree in criminal justice can waive the experience requirement for a Transportation Security Inspector position with the TSA in the state. A four-year degree is also required for entrance into a federal correctional officer position at a GL-05 level. Officers in the Chicago Police Department earn $60,918 after one year of service, but must have at least 60 hours of college credit (or equivalent experience) for consideration for entry into the department.⁹ The colleges and universities in Illinois offer a wealth of criminal justice programs from which to choose in order to qualify for these competitive positions.

Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois

Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges*

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (#30 in-state, #18 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges

University of Illinois at Chicago (#17)
Loyola University Chicago (#35)
Illinois State University (#36)
Bradley University (#63)
Lewis University (#65)
Western Illinois University (#70)
Elmhurst College (#90)
Olivet Nazarene University (#200)

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Illinois

Illinois State University: Both undergraduate and graduate degrees can be earned through Illinois State University's Department of Criminal Justice Sciences. Criminal justice majors can earn either a BA or a BS and take courses that range in subject area from Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation to Family Violence: Cross Cultural Perspectives. Master's degree students can also choose between the science or arts degrees and all participate in the yearly Graduate Research Symposium, in which they exhibit their self-directed research projects. The department has recruited top-rated faculty, who hold research emphases in diverse areas including sentencing reforms, policing, domestic violence, and comparative criminal justice systems. Undergraduates have the option of enrolling in the Honors Program, which involves writing and defending a thesis.

University of Illinois at Chicago: Students can pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees within the Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy programs are research-intensive routes that involve seminar and thesis/dissertation courses while the Bachelor of Arts introduces students to the foundations of the law, corrections, and law enforcement fields. Enrolled individuals often gain insightful experience by interning for agencies such as the Illinois State Police, Office of the State's Attorney, and the Illinois Department of Corrections. Faculty conduct research in the subjects of violence in corrections, domestic violence, and drug-related crimes.

Notable Alumni from Illinois Universities

Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau – Lewis University
Cook County Sheriff Tim Dart – Loyola University Chicago
Dupage County Sheriff John Zaruba – Lewis University
Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupus – Northwestern University

Police Quote:
Frank Kaminski, Chief of Police of the Park Ridge Police Department and 4th Vice President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police
Source

Illinois Criminal Justice Careers

The state of Illinois has a unique history in the criminal justice industry. Illinois has generated one of America's most famous lawmen, Elliott Ness, as well as two of its most famous criminals, Al Capone and John Dillinger. It is also home to one of the country's most notorious prisons, the Federal Penitentiary at Marion, as well as one of the busiest airports in the world, Chicago-O'Hare, which requires considerable support from law enforcement for its day-to-day operations.

The Peoria Police Department strongly prefers officer applicants with either an associate's or bachelor's degree. The Illinois Department of Corrections will add 18 screening points to an application from an individual who has completed a bachelor's degree. Those points can be used to increase the likelihood of being hired as a correctional officer, with a starting salary of $42,432.¹⁰ The average annual salary of police and patrol officers in Illinois was $69,910 as of 2015.⁸

Illinois Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Occupation	Number Employed	Average Annual Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers	13,610	$57,990
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	6,030	$98,820
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	2,840	$91,860
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	31,710	$69,910

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.^5,6,7,8

Illinois Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

As of May 2016, Illinois' unemployment rate was 6.4%, above the national average of 4.7%.¹¹ This is well below the state's 10-year high of 11.4% in January 2010, yet still above the unemployment low of 5.5% recorded in January of 2008.¹¹ Government employment is a good indicator of criminal justice employment in Illinois. According to Projections Central, criminal justice job projections in the state through 2024 include:

Police and Sheriff Patrol: 1,100 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.^12,13
Correctional Officers: 430 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.^12,14
Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 80 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.^12,15
Security Guards: 940 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.^12,16
Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 370 annual openings; 86% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 30% holding an associate's degree and 44% holding a bachelor's degree.^12,17

These projected openings are based on estimates for both growth and replacements.

According to the Mercatus Center, a conservative think tank, Illinois was ranked 47th in the nation for long-term fiscal solvency.¹⁸ This was determined based on an analysis the state's budgeting process, cash/tax collection, and pensions, and indicates that new employees should pay very close attention to Illinois's ability to fulfill its obligations to pay employee pensions.

illinois Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

Featured Online Programs

Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.

Directory of Not-for-Profit Illinois Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

If you live in Illinois, we recommend an accredited campus-based or online program for pursuing your associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in the growing field of criminal justice.

Tip: If you don't live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, or Kentucky).

Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Adler University (Chicago)Master of Arts | Criminology and Criminal Justice (online)Master of Arts | Emergency Management Leadership (online)Master of Public Administration | Criminal Justice

Aurora University (Aurora)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Criminal JusticeMinor | Homeland Security

Benedictine University (Lisle)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMaster of Science | Accountancy: Forensic AccountancyPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Emergency Preparedness (online)Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | Forensic Accounting

Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago)Master of Arts | Forensic Psychology (online)Master of Arts | Forensic Psychology: Sex OffenderMaster of Arts | Forensic Psychology: Child ProtectionMaster of Arts | Forensic Psychology: CorrectionsMaster of Science | Applied Behavior Analysis (online or on-campus)PhD | Applied Behavior Analysis (online or on-campus)Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | Applied Behavior Analysis (online or on-campus)PsyD | Clinical Forensic PsychologyPsyD | Clinical Forensic Psychology: AdultPsyD | Clinical Forensic Psychology: Child and FamilyPsyD | Clinical Forensic Psychology: Forensic NeuropsychologyPsyD | Clinical Forensic Psychology: Law Enforcement

Greenville College (Greenville)Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (3-year degree)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Administration (online or on-campus)Minor | ForensicsCertificate | Law Enforcement IntelligenceCertificate | Transnational Organized CrimeCertificate | Introduction to Homeland SecurityCertificate | Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Joliet Junior College (Joliet)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice StudiesAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice ProfessionalAssociate of Applied Science | Law EnforcementCertificate of Achievement | Criminal Justice Studies (online or on-campus)Certificate of Achievement | Criminal Justice Studies: CorrectionsCertificate of Achievement | Law Enforcement

Lewis University (Romeoville)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal/ Social Justice (online or accelerated on-campus)Bachelor of Arts | Forensic Criminal InvestigationBachelor of Science | Information Security and Risk Management (online or accelerated on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Aviation SecurityBachelor of Science | Forensic ChemistryBachelor of Arts to Master of Science in Criminal/ Social Justice/ Fast Track | Forensic Criminal InvestigationMaster of Science | Public Safety Administration (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Criminal/ Social Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Cyber Security ScienceMinor | Criminal/ Social JusticeProgram | Military Science (Army ROTC)

Student Review: "The criminal justice program at Lewis University is the best place I could have hoped for in studying private security. With private security being such a fast-growing field, I found that Lewis's program is helping me prepare to be top-notch in the field. The classes involved in my curriculum are never too hard or boring. Most professors in the criminal justice program are retired police officers, heads of security, lawyers, and fire chiefs, making class lectures consist of many real-life stories. Even before I got my degree, they were helping me find internships and career paths to help me get my foot in the door. There is truly nothing I would wish to change about this program."

— Lindsay S., student at Lewis University

Lincoln Land Community College (Springfield)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Certificate of Completion | Applied Security PracticesCertificate of Completion | Technical Rescue Awareness (online)

Loyola University Chicago (Chicago)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice & CriminologyBachelor of Science | Forensic ScienceBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Combined Bachelor of Science/ Master of Arts | Criminal Justice and CriminologyMaster of Arts/ Social Work | Social JusticeMinor | Computer Crime and ForensicsMinor | Criminal Justice & CriminologyMinor | Psychology of Crime and JusticeCertificate | Criminal Justice (online)

Student Review: "Loyola University of Chicago is a school with a pretty big campus. The class sizes are small to average, giving professors more time to work with individual students. Loyola's focus on science programs, especially its focus on biology and pre-medical students, is what draws a large number of ambitious students to the university. However, that is not to say other subjects are neglected by Loyola. I studied psychology during my time there and I couldn't be happier with my experience. I was able to intern at a hospital for a whole semester as part of my curriculum. On top of that, Loyola has many study abroad programs in Rome, China and Vietnam for students looking to expand their horizons. The biggest problem I have at Loyola is the tuition, which can be over thirty thousand dollars a year without financial aid or scholarships. Most students do receive some kind of scholarship or financial aid, however, which makes a Loyola education much more possible."

— Duc L., student at Loyola University

MacMurray College (Jacksonville)Associate of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Science | Homeland SecurityBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Homeland Security (online)Minor | Homeland Security

McKendree University (Lebanon)Bachelor of Arts | Sociology/Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)

National Louis University (Chicago)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Administration (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Forensic Social Justice (online or on-campus)

Student Review: "The program here at Olivet Nazarene University has been great for me as a student and military member aspiring to work in law enforcement. I found that most all of my professors and evaluators were friendly, sociable, and easy to approach. I found that most courses were fair in evaluation, and professors worked with students on topics that they'd have most difficulty with. We have tight integration with the local police department, and even other law enforcement agencies, leading to cool opportunities like police car ride-alongs, field trips, hands-on forensic analysis, and even some time with weapons and ballistics at a weapons range. I feel that some of the classes could be combined/focused better instead of feeling like all the content in each class was dragged out over a longer period. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the experience and feel when I graduate I will be properly equipped for the real world."

— Jordan W., student at Olivet Nazarene University

Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Law EnforcementAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Justice Affairs (online or on-campus)Associate of Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Corrections (online or on-campus)

Southeastern Illinois College (Harrisburg)Associate of Applied Science | Corrections: Parole OfficerAssociate of Applied Science | Corrections: Correctional Officer/ Youth SupervisorAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Associate of Science | Administration of Justice (transfer degree)Associate of Science | Criminology and Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Certificate | CorrectionsCertificate | Parole OfficerCertificate | Law Enforcement

Student Review: "SIUC, located in the small town of Carbondale in Southern Illinois used to be a fairly reputable school. However, in recent years, the school's quality has decreased significantly. A great deal of money is invested in athletics, while classrooms are neglected. Ceilings leak and classes of 40-50 students are shoved into rooms fit for 20 students max. In addition, the school accepts pretty much anyone that applies since attendance rates keep dropping. This has resulted in professors having to lower the bar quite significantly so that all students have a chance of passing their classes. In one economics course, the instructor had to explain the difference between a rectangle and a square. This is not a joke. The only redeeming factor of SIU is that if you are outdoorsy (especially if you're a fan of rock climbing), the area offers a number of great options for exploring."

— Elizabeth O., student at Southern Illinois University

University of Illinois-Springfield (Springfield)Bachelor of Arts | Criminology and Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminology and Criminal JusticePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Emergency Preparedness and Homeland SecurityPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security (online)Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Student Review: "I decided to go to this school mainly for their amazing law enforcement program. This is what this school is mainly known for. They have over 71 undergrad majors 13 pre-professional degrees. I love the campus, they have a very nice bus system and the resident hall that I was staying was just redone. It was very clean and furnished. The only problem I had was the ac/heat control, it was at times too hot or too cold. You could not control it at your will. There are many activities on campus that you can get involved in, I personally worked security for on-campus activities which helped me gain experience with my degree. The campus is very safe they have their own Police Department and the officers are very nice and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed my stay at this school and I would recommend anyone to come here."

— Aleksander Z., student at Western Illinois University

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Benedictine University at Springfield (Springfield)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Forensic Accounting

Black Hawk College (Moline)Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement TechnologyAssociate of Science | Law EnforcementCertificate | Law Enforcement

Blackburn College (Carlinville)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal Justice

Bradley University (Peoria)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice StudiesBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice StudiesMinor | Criminal Justice Studies

Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg)Associate of Arts | Law Enforcement & Justice AdministrationAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Science | Forensic ChemistryCertificate | Criminal Justice

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College (Chicago)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Incident CommandAssociate of Applied Science | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Private Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Incident CommandBasic Certificate | Unarmed Security GuardBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Information SecurityBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Forensic InvestigationAdvanced Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAdvanced Certificate | Addiction Studies

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College (Chicago)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Incident CommandAssociate of Applied Science | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Private Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Incident CommandBasic Certificate | Unarmed Security GuardBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Information SecurityBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Forensic InvestigationAdvanced Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAdvanced Certificate | Addiction Studies

City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College (Chicago)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Incident CommandAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Incident CommandBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityAdvanced Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police

City Colleges of Chicago-Truman College (Chicago)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Incident CommandAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Incident CommandBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityAdvanced Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police

City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College (Chicago)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityAssociate of Applied Science | Emergency Management: Incident CommandAssociate of Applied Science | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Addiction StudiesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Private Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Emergency PreparednessBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Homeland SecurityBasic Certificate | Emergency Management: Incident CommandBasic Certificate | Unarmed Security GuardBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Information SecurityBasic Certificate | Computer Security and Forensic Investigation: Forensic InvestigationAdvanced Certificate | Criminal Justice: Public Police ServicesAdvanced Certificate | Addiction Studies

Student Review: "The College of DuPage is so much more than a community college. I have been taking classes there for 2 years in order to take care of some of my pre-requisites for a research university. The course offerings are immense for a community school. You can take anything from high school algebra to rock climbing. They offer a lot for a person of any age whether they are looking to further their resume or further their mind. I have found the staff extremely helpful and willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get what you need. I wish this was a four-year university because it would be a fantastic one. The location is also great if you live in the Chicago suburbs as you can reach it from mostly anywhere in quick time. I would also like to commend them on their large portfolio of online classes that suit people who cannot always drive to class."

— Grant K., student at The College of DuPage

College of Lake County (Grayslake)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Trauma Interventions and PreventionAssociate of Applied Science | Computer ForensicsAssociate of Arts | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Emergency and Disaster ManagementCertificate | Computer Forensics Analyst

Student Review: "My academic Criminal Justice program at CLC is very hands-on and engaging. The instructors are very helpful and always have interesting discussion for the students to engage in. There are plenty of electives to choose from. The department staff are good when it comes to having contacts to get students into job opportunities. I like how most of my CJ classes don't require me to do too many major writing assignments, most of my classes just had true/false and multiple choice exams, which I felt played to my strengths. I look forward to getting my AAS degree next year."

— Student at College of Lake County

Danville Area Community College (Danville)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Corrections – Parole OfficerAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Law EnforcementBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice 2+2 ProgramBachelor of Science | Law Enforcement 2+2 ProgramCertificate | Criminal Justice: Corrections- Parole Officer

Elgin Community College (Elgin)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Vocational Specialist Certificate | Law EnforcementVocational Certificate | Criminal Justice Law EnforcementVocational Specialist Certificate | Digital ForensicsVocational Specialist Certificate | Family Violence CounselingVocational Specialist Certificate | Human Services Substance Abuse CounselingBasic Vocational Specialist Certificate | Public Safety CommunicationsVocational Specialist Certificate | Public Safety Communications

Elmhurst College (Elmhurst)Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal Justice

Student Review: "The Criminal Justice program at Elmhurst College has prepared me extremely well for post-graduation. The curriculum is extremely thorough and covers any possible areas you could think of involving the criminal justice system. The professors are all very kind and knowledgeable and offer their time to help each and every student that needs guidance. The diversity of all the professors and the areas they themselves studied is fantastic: you really get an idea of what specific paths in criminal justice are like. Something I would change within the department though is to maybe have an easier way of knowing what internships are available. There is already a handful available to do, but it's generally not known by most students, they have to ask professors personally. Other than that, the criminal justice program at Elmhurst College is great. I do not regret picking it as my major, and can't wait to see what the future holds for me."

— Student at Elmhurst College

Student Review: "The Criminal Justice program at Elmhurst is really good for the school it pertains to. I liked that there was a wide range of law classes that are able to be taken within the program. I also like that all the teachers offer themselves to students and more than happily help out anyone with their office hours. You really do feel as though teaching is 1 on 1 since classrooms are small in size. What I disliked, however, is that some classes felt as though they were rushed. I felt that the material could have been taken slower, but it is probably just the preference of some professors to teach quickly."

— Student at Elmhurst College

Eureka College (Eureka)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice/ SociologyMinor | Criminal Justice/ Sociology

Student Review: "Anyone looking for a great criminal justice program, look no further, Governors State University has it. The program offers a B.A in criminal justice, with three focuses; law enforcement and security, correctional practice, and restorative justice. They also have a Master of Arts program. The student body consists of 7,750 students. They offer satellite courses at Triton College, Naperville Education Center, and of course, you can attend the main campus in University Park. Can't forget about the option to attend online courses as well. This college has it all for criminal justice, check it out."

— Matthew C., student at Governors State University

Student Review: "The Harper College Criminal Justice program is unique in both its design and curriculum. Harper College does an excellent job of helping their students get hands-on with real-life examples and situations. The program is unique because it has recruited an ex-suburban police chief and Chicago Police Department employee of 25+ years to run the program. This helped promote respect for not only the professor and the program but for the careers that exist in the criminal justice field. While I have no doubt that I experienced more positives in the program than negatives, there were some areas that could be improved upon. Some of the requirements in the program are not offered both semesters, making it difficult to juggle classes and to graduate from the program on time. Additionally, while the majority of professors are excellent, some of the younger and less-trained professors do not teach their classes as thoroughly as the more seasoned ones."

— Student at Harper College

Heartland Community College (Normal)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice StudiesAssociate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Criminal Justice Corrections

Illinois Central College (East Peoria)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Associate of Applied Science | Law EnforcementAssociate of Applied Science | Drug and Alcohol Counselor TrainingCertificate | Law EnforcementCertificate | Drug and Alcohol Counselor Training

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (Mount Carmel; Olney; Robinson)Associate of Applied Science | Corrections/ Youth SupervisorAssociate of Applied Science | Administration of JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | CorrectionsAssociate of Applied Science | Corrections Parole OfficerCertificate | Computer Security & ForensicsCertificate | Emergency Management Systems

John A Logan College (Carterville)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Computer ForensicsAssociate of Applied Science | Corrections/ Parole OfficerAssociate of Applied Science | Correctional Officer/ Youth ServicesCertificate | Computer Forensics and Investigations

Lake Land College (Mattoon)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Law EnforcementCertificate | Law Enforcement Operations

Lewis and Clark Community College (Godfrey)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate of Proficiency | Criminal Justice

Lincoln College (Lincoln)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Studies: CorrectionsBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Studies: Law EnforcementBachelor of Science | Criminal Justice Studies: Pre-Law

McHenry County College (Crystal Lake)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement/ SecurityAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: CorrectionsAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Social ServiceAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: Computer ForensicsCertificate | Cyber Security

Millikin University (Decatur)Minor | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Security and CompliancePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Managerial Forensics

Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice: Criminology (transfer degree)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice: Corrections (transfer degree)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice: Juvenile Delinquency and Procedures (transfer degree)Associate of Applied Science | Addiction StudiesCertificate | Addiction StudiesCertificate | Emergency Preparedness and ContinuityCertificate | Homeland SecurityCertificate | Security Services

Morton College (Cicero)Associate of Applied Science | Law Enforcement EducationAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago)Bachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Criminal JusticeBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Justice and the LawBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Justice Across National BoundariesBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Gender and JusticeBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Justice and Ethnic DiversityBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Community Organizing for JusticeBachelor of Arts | Justice Studies: Youth and JusticeMinor | CriminologyMinor | Social Justice

North Park University (Chicago)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeBachelor of Arts | Conflict Transformation StudiesMinor | Criminal JusticeMinor | Conflict Transformation Studies

Student Review: "As a whole I really have not enjoyed being a student at North Park University. However, I have found my savior in the criminal justice department. Shortly after coming here I switched my major from business to criminal justice and I have found that to be the best decision that I have ever made. The criminal justice professors here at North Park have so many connections in this field of study which offers a unique way for them to teach. The six major classes that I have completed or are currently taken feature many guest speakers coming in and telling us what they do in the field of criminal justice and give us as students a great overview of the system. The professors here care about getting us jobs and are very active in helping us find internships in the fields that we find interesting. The coursework isn't necessarily easy, but it is engaging which makes it fun to do. Overall I rate North Park at 1, but I give the criminal justice program a 5 and I thank this department for giving me some of the best experiences of my life."

— Nick S., student at North Park University

Student Review: "At North Park University, the Criminal Justice program is filled with diversity. Professors come from a variety of criminal justice backgrounds including law enforcement, law (i.e. attorneys), social work, and juvenile work. The program as a whole is a mix of sociological studies, government studies, and law studies. This format covers all field of the justice system, allowing for a multi-faceted learning environment which is helpful for those seeking any occupation in the justice field. There were a variety of guest speakers which came in to speak to classes. Additionally, there were several field trips to law enforcement facilities. Much of this is possible because of access to the city of Chicago, which is home to a variety of well-known law enforcement agencies. There were several classes which had poor professors who were not qualified to teach in the field, but the positive experiences and amount of networking possible outweigh poor professors. Having criminal justice professionals as professors allows the student to get in contact with a multitude of justice professionals and organizations."

— Luke K., student at North Park University

Oakton Community College (Des Plaines)Associate of Applied Science | Law EnforcementCertificate | Law Enforcement

Parkland College (Champaign)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice Education

Prairie State College (Chicago Heights)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice ServicesCertificate | Criminal Justice Services

Rend Lake College (Ina)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Occupational Certificate | CorrectionsOccupational Certificate | Cyber Forensics SpecialistOccupational Certificate | Police ScienceOccupational Certificate | Private Protection

Richland Community College (Decatur)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice: CorrectionsBachelor of Science | Forensic Accounting (2+2 program with Franklin University)Bachelor of Science | Business Forensics (2+2 program with Franklin University)Bachelor of Science | Public Safety Management (2+2 program with Franklin University)Advanced Certificate | Emergency Telecommunications SpecialistAdvanced Certificate | Patrol OfficerBasic Certificate | Patrol OfficerBasic Certificate | Probation and Parole Officer

Rock Valley College (Rockford)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)

Saint Xavier University (Chicago)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMaster of Business Administration | Forensic and Investigative AccountingMaster of Business Administration | Financial Fraud Examination and ManagementMinor | Criminal JusticePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Financial Fraud Examination and Management

Shawnee College (Ullin)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice TechnologyCertificate | Criminal Justice TechnologyCertificate | Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics

South Suburban College (South Holland)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Corrections Officer/ Youth SupervisorCertificate | Criminal Justice

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Edwardsville)Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: "I declared criminal justice as my major in the second year SIUE had the program. In the early stages, I felt this was a good program. SIUE did a nice job when selecting the faculty. They were able to blend a solid mixture of criminal justice professionals, academic professionals, and attorneys. The faculty were able to provide a glimpse into what a career in criminal justice would entail. The faculty was the part of the program I liked the most. The only complaint I had with the program was the wide disparity in the classes. Some of the classes were very difficult, while other classes were laughably easy. Overall I would say this was a very good criminal justice program."

— Student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Student Review: "The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Criminal Justice program provided me with a good base of knowledge to begin my career. I enjoyed working with the professors in the program. I would suggest taking one of Dr. Petrocelli's classes as he was a very entertaining and engaging professor. Dr. Petrocell's tests were difficult, but the knowledge gained from his classes was second to none. Overall the program was very beneficial to me and I would recommend anyone thinking about the program to enroll in this program. I am currently working as an investigator for the State of Missouri and the knowledge gained from the program set me on a path to success."

— Student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Student Review: "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SIUE in the Criminal Justice program. When I left the program was becoming very popular and they almost didn't have enough space in the classes to accommodate all of the students. The professors were incredibly knowledgeable of their subjects, many of the classes were created and designed by the professors themselves. They could always be counted on to make time outside of class to meet with students for help. The internship program had a range of options inside the field to choose from, although I found it difficult to get in touch with many places for interviews."

— Student at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago)Bachelor of Arts | Criminology, Law, and JusticeBachelor of Arts | Political Science: Law and CourtsMinor | Criminology, Law, and JusticeMinor | Law and Society

Student Review: "The University of Illinois at Chicago is a great school depending on your interests. Its location gives you great access to the city of Chicago, which is perhaps its best feature, besides its lower cost. My experience within the College of Art and Architecture was very positive, though I'm not sure if I would have been as happy at the university if I had a different major, judging by some of the courses that I took outside of the School of Architecture. Within the School of Architecture, however, I had a great experience working with an outstanding and motivated faculty, and a great curriculum. The university has many resources, some great faculty, and many events, though students have to really go out of their way to be involved and active. With such a large student body, one has to make the effort to really stand out and access the many resources that the university has to offer."

— Deirdre M., student at University of Illinois – Chicago

Student Review: "The University of Illinois at Chicago was a decent school for undergraduate education. Being from the Chicago area, I wanted to stick around and witness big city life first hand, which is a great feature of UIC, right on the outskirts of downtown and near a few developing, hip neighborhoods. The academic program was good for the price (~ $10,000 per year) though there certainly were areas where it was lacking. The University's infrastructure was crumbling (voted ugliest campus in the USA) and the administration was sketchy and clearly embroiled in some kind of dirt. The English program boasted strong professors and smaller class sizes where students were able to interact directly with the professors, which is always a plus. Probably a better choice for students from the Chicago-land area who cannot afford a better school or who are struggling academically to matriculate to a more rigorous institution."

— Jake N., student of University of Illinois – Chicago

Student Review: "My experience in UIC's Criminology, Law and Justice program was great. I feel that I got a good, well-rounded education in the field. UIC offered a large variety of classes on a range of topics. My professors seemed to have a lot of experience in the field. Many of them were actual lawyers. I like that they were able to teach with real-life examples instead of relying on textbooks. Some of the classes required me to take trips to different institutions such as court, prison, jail and community meetings. These experiences were fun and taught me a lot. Some professors invited guest speakers to come and share their experiences. The program to me was fun. I learned a lot about criminal justice and managed to retain the knowledge after years."

— Student at University of Illinois – Chicago

Waubonsee Community College (Sugar Grove)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Science | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Program | Military Science

Student Review: "Waubonsee Community College is ideal for saving money while still earning College Credit. Waubonsee offers a wide range of "gen eds" at a reasonable price, especially compared to other four year schools. Most of the Sugar Grove campus is recently developed bar a few older buildings. The school also offers a decent amount of online courses to save you the commute. However, given this is a community college you will not receive the grade of education compared to a private school. An example of this would be the introduction to programming. Waubonsee teaches you a dead, 20-year-old programming language. A more expensive school teach you relevant information with industry professionals. These are aspects that you must take or leave. Sometimes the savings weigh out the negatives. Make sure to sign up for courses early though, they fill up fast!"

— Daniel D., student at Waubonsee Community College

Student Review: "Up until the day I enrolled in Waubonsee Community College, I believed a community college was a step down from a major university. I was wrong. The professors there were passionate and held students accountable. The curriculum was amazing. One course, Crime Scene Investigation was probably the best hands on course I've experienced, even after I went to a major university years later and had to take a similar course. We examined how windows broke and how to dust for fingerprints with both powder and/or glue. We spent a better part of an afternoon learning how to take fingerprints. We took a trip to a ballistics lab. Time and time again we were out in the field lifting tire mark impressions. The list can go on and on. That particular class had always stuck with me simply due to the amount and practice over and over again. There were many other classes which engaged the students, that was in depth and hands on. These men and women took pride in developing and preparing the future men and women. While I pursued my four year afterwards, Waubonsee Community College was an experience I would never forget. Whether Waubonsee is a stepping stone for your bachelors or you're ready to join the workforce, the program is designed to give you some experience and knowledge to be effective in the community. Most professors at Waubonsee were former law enforcement or involved in the Criminal Justice system in some capacity. It is hands on and instructors are passionate. They work closely with students and ensure they are getting the importance of community outreach and why it's important for individuals in the field to understand it. I believe my training and experiences in the Criminal Justice program at Waubonsee were life changing and impacted my career path and personal development. It showed me that leading by example with the passion, discipline and understanding can impact lives for the better."

— Student at Waubonsee Community College

References:1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/2. Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php3. College Factual Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/rankings/top-ranked/4. US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/criminal-justice/rankings5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm7. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm8. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm9. Chicago Police: https://home.chicagopolice.org/10. Illinois Department of Corrections: https://www2.illinois.gov/idoc/Pages/default.aspx11. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://https://ycharts.com/indicators/illinois_unemployment_rate12. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionelhscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm13. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.0114. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.0015. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.0116. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.0017. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.0018. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

Illinois Criminal Justice Schools

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