Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs show a stark divide between public and private options, with University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivering the lowest net cost at just $10,044 while Herzing University graduates earn $58,943 annually. The state's law enforcement sector benefits from Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base, where companies like Kimberly-Clark and GE Healthcare require corporate security and compliance professionals. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with seven UW system schools offering net costs below $17,000. Meanwhile, Herzing's three campuses command premium prices but deliver the highest graduate earnings in the state. Carroll University achieves a 69.60% graduation rate despite moderate earnings of $33,993, while UW-Platteville balances strong outcomes with reasonable costs at $14,754 net price and 61.50% graduation rate.

Programs

$10,044 – $26,067

Net Price Range

$40,936

Avg. Program Earnings

55.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, Wisconsin	$10,044	$34,526	$7,855	39.8%	72.8%
2	Herzing University-Kenosha Kenosha, Wisconsin	$17,613	$58,943	$13,420	50.0%	93.5%
3	Herzing University-Brookfield Brookfield, Wisconsin	$18,796	$58,943	$13,420	40.0%	95.1%
4	Herzing University-Madison Madison, Wisconsin	$20,319	$58,943	$13,420	27.6%	94.5%
5	University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, Wisconsin	$13,405	$37,568	$8,487	44.1%	95.6%
6	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$38,397	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
7	University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh, Wisconsin	$14,761	$37,568	$8,212	57.9%	88.5%
8	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$40,017	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
9	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$36,344	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%
10	Rasmussen University-Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin	$18,847	$35,060	$11,982	62.5%
11	Marian University Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin	$23,341	$39,369	$33,000	41.2%	71.6%
12	Edgewood College Madison, Wisconsin	$25,634	$37,424	$34,850	67.4%	98.6%
13	Carroll University Waukesha, Wisconsin	$24,362	$33,993	$37,230	69.6%	72.1%
14	Concordia University-Wisconsin Mequon, Wisconsin	$26,067	$35,274	$34,250	64.3%	70.4%
15	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$31,670	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
16	Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$21,315		$35,080	62.7%	93.8%
17	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633		$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
18	Mount Mary University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$18,295		$34,390	58.9%	69.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Herzing University graduates earn so much more than other programs?

Herzing University graduates across three Wisconsin campuses earn $58,943 annually, significantly above the state average of $39,000 for criminal justice programs. The university's focus on applied learning and industry partnerships helps place graduates in higher-paying federal and corporate security roles. However, students pay premium prices with net costs ranging from $17,613 to $20,319 compared to public alternatives.

How do Wisconsin's public universities compare for criminal justice value?

The UW system offers seven criminal justice programs with net costs between $10,044 and $16,948, making them highly accessible options. UW-Platteville leads in graduation rates at 61.50% while maintaining a reasonable $14,754 net cost. UW-Milwaukee graduates earn $40,017 annually, the highest among public options, though at a higher $16,177 net price.

Is the debt load manageable for Wisconsin criminal justice graduates?

Most Wisconsin programs keep student debt below $25,000, with UW-Parkside graduates carrying just $19,500 in debt. Rasmussen University shows the highest debt at $29,236, which raises concerns given graduates earn only $35,060 annually. The Wisconsin Grant program helps in-state students at public universities manage costs more effectively than private alternatives.

Where do Wisconsin criminal justice graduates typically find employment?

Wisconsin's manufacturing economy creates demand for corporate security professionals at companies like Epic Systems and Kimberly-Clark. State and local law enforcement agencies actively recruit from UW system programs, while federal positions often favor graduates from higher-earning programs like Herzing. The state's agriculture sector also requires compliance and safety specialists, particularly in food processing operations.

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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.