Best colleges for Criminology in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, DePaul University and National Louis University award the most Criminology degrees in Illinois: 93, 69 and 40 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Illinois colleges offer Criminology and award 313 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of crime and deviant behavior, situated within the field of social sciences. This program draws from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and law, making it ideal for students…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,645 | 93 | 62% | — | $24,000 |
| 2 | National Louis University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,170 | 40 | 30% | $18,904 | $23,437 |
| 3 | Concordia University - Chicago River Forest Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,724 | 9 | 36% | $17,620 | — |
| 4 | Dominican University River Forest Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,758 | 10 | 55% | $16,176 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminology degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 93 | $37,645 |
| 2 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 69 | Not reported |
| 3 | National Louis University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 40 | $30,170 |
| 4 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 5 | Benedictine University Lisle Private not-for-profit | 21 | Not reported |
| 6 | Rockford University Rockford Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Millikin University Decatur Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | Illinois College Jacksonville Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | Dominican University River Forest Private not-for-profit | 10 | $31,758 |
| 10 | Concordia University - Chicago River Forest Private not-for-profit | 9 | $41,724 |
ShowHide the other 2 Illinois colleges offering Criminology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Sociologists (SOC 19-3041).
Top skills
What Sociologists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminology programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Criminology degrees?+
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (93 graduates a year), DePaul University (69 graduates a year) and National Louis University (40 graduates a year) award the most Criminology degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Illinois colleges offer Criminology.
Which Criminology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale tops the list at $37,645. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Sociologists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Sociologists in Illinois is $143,940 (median $140,770). Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Criminology program?+
Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of crime and deviant behavior, situated within the field of social sciences. This program draws from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and law, making it ideal for students…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, writing, active learning, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Sociologists?+
The national job outlook is about +3.6% growth with around 300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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