Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees in Illinois (IL)
Considering a college education to start or advance your career in criminal justice? Explore the many undergraduate and graduate options available — both online and campus-based — from today’s top criminal justice programs in Illinois. Discover the perfect fit for your academic and professional goals.
A criminal justice degree is the first step to a career serving your community. It can lead to a career as a correctional officer, police officer, paralegal, probation officer, or one of many other rewarding jobs. But before you make any decisions, it’s important to do your homework and find a quality program that gives you the training and knowledge to succeed once you graduate.
Luckily, there are some great criminal justice schools in Illinois and degrees available at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels. This guide dives into the top-ranked criminal justice programs in Illinois and helps you determine what type of program is right for you.
Top Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Illinois
Over 73% of students prefer online or hybrid programs, according to 2021 research published in Inside Higher Education. To meet this demand, many criminal justice schools in Illinois offer online or hybrid programs.
Students of online criminal justice degrees in Illinois receive the same quality of education as on-campus students, but they complete all coursework online. Hybrid students complete a mixture of both types of learning. Either option adds flexibility to an academic schedule, making both a great option for working professionals and anyone else in need of a flexible schedule. Since online education also cuts transportation costs and other fees associated with in-person programs, online criminal justice degrees in Illinois are often more affordable.
For a better idea of what an online program might look like, explore our ranking of the best virtual or hybrid criminal justice programs in IL.
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois
Private
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, Illinois
Public
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois
Private
McKendree University
Lebanon, Illinois
Private
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois
Private
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois
Private
Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon, Illinois
Public
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois
Public
Types of Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
There are a several types of criminal justice programs in Illinois, available both online and on-campus, catering to students at various stages of their criminal justice education and professional journey. As you delve into the section below, you’ll find comprehensive information about each degree program and explore top-notch schools that offer these programs. While not every program may align with your goals, there’s likely to be a program that’s a perfect fit.
Associate Degrees
A criminal justice associate degree program is ideally suited for students seeking an entry point into the field. Tailored for those interested in law enforcement, corrections, or security, this program offers foundational knowledge in criminal justice principles, legal systems, and ethical considerations. Job titles of recent graduates from the Lincoln Land Community College associate program include patrol officers, bailiffs, and crime scene investigators.
Examples of Accredited Illinois Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Land Community College | Springfield | Online; On-Campus; Hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Triton College | River Grove | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| McHenry Community College | Crystal Lake | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Generations College | Chicago | Online; hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
Bachelor’s Degrees
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice opens up more opportunities than an associate degree, though it’s also a bigger commitment. These degrees typically take four years of full-time to complete and allow students to specialize in certain subfields of criminal justice. Some programs, such as the program from Southern Illinois University, can be completed entirely online for added flexibility. Graduates of these programs are equipped to work in many different capacities within the criminal justice system, from being a crime analyst to a corrections officer.
Examples of Accredited Illinois Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Online; On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Lewis University | Romeoville | Online; On-campus; Hybrid | Higher Learning Commission |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | On-campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
Master’s Degrees
Students serious about advancing their careers and diving deeper into a specific area of criminal justice should consider getting their master’s degrees. Usually, master’s criminal justice programs in Illinois give students the chance to explore a specific area of research through coursework and a research thesis. At the University of Illinois Chicago, for example, students can choose from twelve research clusters for their master’s research. Upon graduating, students are eligible for a wider variety of criminal justice roles.
Examples of Accredited Illinois Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Online; On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Online | Higher Learning Commission |
| Illinois State University | Normal | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Loyola University of Chicago | Chicago | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
Criminal Justice Doctoral Degrees in Illinois
A doctoral degree is ideal for professionals who already have their master’s degree and some work experience in the criminal justice field. A doctorate typically leads to a role in academia or as an expert in the criminal justice field. Several quality criminal justice schools in Illinois offer doctoral degrees such as the University of Illinois Chicago and Southern Illinois University.
Examples of Accredited Illinois Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Southern Illinois University | Carbondale | Online; On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
Certificate Programs
Criminal justice certificates are most commonly available at the bachelor’s level, though some master’s or associate programs may offer them as well. With a certificate, you take less courses in criminal justice, but you get a broad overview of the field. Sometimes, these programs manifest as minors, such as the program from the University of Illinois at Springfield. This is a great option for those who want to dip their toes into the field but major in a different discipline.
Examples of Accredited Illinois Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
| College | Location | Delivery | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois at Springfield | Springfield | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| Illinois State University | Normal | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | On-Campus | Higher Learning Commission |
Financial Aid Options for Criminal Justice Students in Illinois
As is the case in any state, college can be costly, and criminal justice schools in Illinois are no exception. The average bachelor’s degree at a state school in Illinois costs $26,252 annually for in-state residents, and tuition costs continue to creep up every year. Luckily, there are many financial aid opportunities to bring the cost down. As a criminal justice student, you may be eligible for:
- Scholarships from the federal government, your state government, your university, or private organizations
- Student loans
- Grants and fellowships
- The federal work-study program
- Employer reimbursement programs
- Criminal justice specific scholarships
There’s also resources available exclusively for Illinois residents, such as Illinois state government scholarships and aid from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. City government entities, such as Chicago Family & Support Services, and police departments, such as the Cook County Police, also offer scholarships.
To make sure you have accessed all financial aid possible, make sure to search opportunities by your state, city, county, and degree.
Job Demand and Earnings Potential for Criminal Justice Grads in Illinois
Graduates of criminal justice schools in Illinois can expect higher-than average-salaries and an 11% job growth rate from 2020-2030. There’s a special demand for criminal justice majors who are interested in serving as social and community managers in Illinois. Because of this, combining criminal justice and social work classes may make candidates particularly attractive for in-demand roles.
Job growth isn’t the only thing that increases with a criminal justice degree. Earning potential does too. Across all careers in the United States, full-time employees make about $57,200. Almost all the criminal justice jobs we researched made more than that, with some roles having the potential for employees to earn double the average U.S. wage as their career progresses. For more insight on annual salaries and the outlook for specific careers in Illinois, explore the table below.
| Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bailiffs | 3.1% | 160 | $49,810 |
| Compliance Officers | 6.7% | 910 | $88,590 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 7% | 40 | $64,850 |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 6% | 230 | $100,140 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | 11.1% | 630 | $76,340 |
Sources: Projections Central;Bureau of Labor Statistics
Illinois Criminal Justice Resources for Students and Professionals
- Illinois Department of Corrections
The Illinois Department of Corrections is responsible for managing the penal justice system in the state. Anyone interested in working within this system should explore the careers section on their website. - Illinois Correctional Association
This organization provides training, online resources, and in-person events for Illinois professionals working within the correctional system. They also have a section devoted to criminal justice students who want to explore opportunities in this sector. - Illinois Bar Association
While a state bar association may bring up images of lawyers, the Illinois Bar Association offers useful resources for criminal justice workers across all disciplines. This includes online blogs, trainings, and in-person events. - Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Interested in criminal justice administration? You may want to check out this state-funded association. The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority offers research and resources for criminal justice professionals as well as funding for criminal justice administration research. - Criminology, Law, and Justice Student Society
Joining a student organization can be a great way to connect with your peers, network with industry professionals, and attend free professional development seminars within the criminal justice field. Many criminal justice schools in Illinois have such programs, including this society from the University of Illinois Chicago.