Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Parkside delivers the state's most affordable Criminal Justice and Corrections education at just $10,044 net cost, though graduates earn $34,526 annually compared to Herzing University students who pay $17,613 but command $58,943 starting salaries. This $24,417 earnings gap reflects different career paths within Wisconsin's corrections system, where state facilities, county jails, and private security firms offer varying compensation levels. The University of Wisconsin system dominates affordability rankings, claiming six of the top eight spots with net costs under $17,000. Wisconsin's criminal justice sector benefits from the state's major healthcare employers like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare, which require corporate security professionals alongside traditional law enforcement roles in manufacturing centers.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $48,899 salary difference between the highest and lowest earning Criminal Justice programs?

Herzing University graduates earn $58,943 compared to $34,526 at UW-Parkside, reflecting different program focuses and career preparation. Herzing emphasizes technology-driven security and corporate roles that command higher salaries in Wisconsin's healthcare and tech sectors. UW system schools typically prepare students for traditional law enforcement and corrections positions. The $24,417 gap between these approaches shows how specialization affects earning potential in Wisconsin's job market.

How do Wisconsin's public universities compare to private schools for Criminal Justice affordability?

Public universities average $14,298 in net costs across the top six most affordable programs, while private institutions start at $17,613 for Herzing University-Kenosha. UW-Parkside leads at $10,044, followed by UW-Superior at $13,405 and UW-Platteville at $14,754. Private schools like Carroll University reach $24,362, making public options roughly $10,000 cheaper annually. The Wisconsin Grant program helps reduce these costs further for qualifying in-state students at public institutions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Wisconsin Criminal Justice programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with Carroll University achieving 69.6% at $24,362 net cost and UW-Eau Claire reaching 67.6% at $16,948. However, UW-Parkside graduates only 39.8% of students despite its $10,044 affordability advantage. Herzing University-Kenosha offers a middle ground with 50% graduation rates at $17,613. The data suggests students balance cost savings against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

Where do Wisconsin Criminal Justice graduates find employment in the state's economy?

Wisconsin's manufacturing base creates corporate security opportunities at companies like Kimberly-Clark, while healthcare giants like Epic Systems and GE Healthcare need compliance and security specialists. Traditional corrections roles exist throughout the state prison system and county jails. The $31,670 to $58,943 earnings range reflects this diversity, from entry-level corrections officers to specialized corporate security positions. Milwaukee and Madison metro areas offer the highest concentration of criminal justice career opportunities.

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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.