Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Indiana

Indiana's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs showcase remarkable value extremes, with net costs ranging from $5,970 at Indiana University-Northwest to $19,086 at Indiana Institute of Technology. Oakland City University graduates command the highest earnings at $56,544 annually, nearly double the state average for the field. This earning potential aligns well with Indiana's growing security sector, where companies like Eli Lilly require specialized corporate security and compliance professionals. The state's public university system dominates the affordable options, with eight programs under $12,000 in net costs. Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program adds another layer of value by covering full tuition for qualifying low-income students. Manufacturing giants like Cummins also create demand for loss prevention and workplace safety specialists, making Criminal Justice graduates valuable across multiple industries beyond traditional law enforcement roles.

Programs

$5,970 – $25,580

Net Price Range

$34,964

Avg. Program Earnings

52.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Indiana University-Northwest Gary, Indiana	$5,970	$32,213	$8,179	36.9%	80.3%
2	Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, Indiana	$6,276	$31,935	$8,179	44.7%	85.8%
3	Oakland City University Oakland City, Indiana	$12,820	$56,544	$27,150	70.0%	55.7%
4	Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, Indiana	$8,257	$34,420	$8,179	33.4%	85.2%
5	Indiana University-East Richmond, Indiana	$9,082	$35,213	$8,179	45.4%	77.6%
6	Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, Indiana	$8,364	$29,974	$8,179	35.7%	86.9%
7	Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$11,408	$36,920	$10,449	53.9%	82.9%
8	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$36,344	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
9	Vincennes University Vincennes, Indiana	$10,215	$31,042	$6,886	34.7%
10	Purdue University Global West Lafayette, Indiana	$12,267	$36,301	$10,110	47.6%
11	University of Southern Indiana Evansville, Indiana	$12,621	$35,213	$10,136	52.0%	94.4%
12	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	$15,898	$37,503	$10,758	63.3%	69.0%
13	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana	$15,342	$34,633	$11,790	81.2%	82.4%
14	Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global Marion, Indiana	$16,767	$34,704	$8,216	37.2%
15	Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies Fort Wayne, Indiana	$19,086	$35,274	$9,900
16	Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana	$19,726	$33,993	$33,320	57.2%	99.5%
17	University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana	$18,748	$32,210	$36,136	55.8%	76.1%
18	Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, Indiana	$18,406	$30,650	$30,034	69.9%	84.6%
19	Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne, Indiana	$21,318	$35,274	$30,446	31.4%	64.7%
20	Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Marion, Indiana	$23,069	$34,704	$31,168	66.3%	86.7%
21	Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses Angola, Indiana	$21,976	$32,071	$9,576	100.0%	24.4%
22	Trine University Angola, Indiana	$25,580	$32,071	$35,600	67.6%	91.9%
23	University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana	$20,230		$42,676	71.3%	76.3%
24	Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana	$19,268		$37,090	44.8%	66.4%
25	Martin University Indianapolis, Indiana	$13,879		$12,830	33.3%
26	Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, Indiana	$20,739		$22,650	29.9%
27	University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$20,361		$35,420	60.7%	98.1%
28	Anderson University Anderson, Indiana	$22,144		$35,640	49.4%	51.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Oakland City University worth its $12,820 net cost for Criminal Justice?

Oakland City graduates earn $56,544 annually, the highest among Indiana programs and $20,000 above the next closest competitor. The private university also maintains a 70% graduation rate, significantly higher than most alternatives. Students carry just $18,750 in debt upon graduation, creating a strong return on investment despite the higher upfront costs.

How do Indiana University regional campuses compare for Criminal Justice value?

Indiana University's regional campuses offer net costs between $5,970 and $9,082, making them the most affordable options in the state. IU-Southeast provides the best combination with $8,257 net cost, $34,420 earnings, and only $13,500 in student debt. However, graduation rates at these campuses range from 33% to 45%, requiring careful consideration of completion likelihood.

Does Vincennes University provide good value despite missing acceptance rate data?

Vincennes offers a competitive $10,215 net cost with relatively low debt at $19,500 upon graduation. Graduates earn $31,042 annually, placing it in the middle tier for earnings potential. The 34.7% graduation rate suggests students should carefully evaluate their commitment level before enrolling in this two-year program.

Where can students find the lowest student debt burdens in Indiana Criminal Justice?

Indiana University-Southeast leads with just $13,500 in average student debt, followed by IU-Bloomington at $16,882. Both schools maintain strong earnings potential at $34,420 and $34,633 respectively. These low debt levels reflect the benefits of attending established public institutions with strong financial aid programs.

What role does the 21st Century Scholars program play in Criminal Justice education costs?

The 21st Century Scholars program covers full tuition at public universities for qualifying low-income students, potentially reducing costs to just room, board, and fees. This benefit applies to all Indiana public universities offering Criminal Justice, including IU campuses and regional schools. Students from families earning under certain income thresholds can access programs that would otherwise cost $6,886 to $11,790 annually.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.