Key takeaways
- Chicago offers plenty of employment opportunities for criminology professionals.
- Consider factors such as campus life, academic curriculum, networking opportunities, and more when searching for good colleges in Illinois.
- The list of top colleges in Illinois for criminology majors includes the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC).
- Illinois State University (ISU) is also an excellent option renowned for offering excellent value and a great student support system.
- Northern Illinois University (NIU) offers a sociology major with a criminology emphasis that aspiring professionals can pursue.
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) provides practical, hands-on experience in criminology, focusing on real-world applications.
Illinois is a popular US state known for its diverse types of cities and areas that offer urban, rural, and suburban lifestyles available everywhere. It is one of the best states to find colleges with excellent criminology degrees. There are more than 50 recognized and good colleges in Illinois, making it an overwhelming decision to choose any one good institute.
As you embark on your college search, it’s essential to consider key factors such as faculty expertise, alumni success, program accreditations, and the overall campus experience. Just read on to discover all the good colleges in Illinois, and understand the importance of critical factors that must be considered.
Study criminology from good colleges in Illinois
To help you get started, here is a list of good colleges in Illinois that offer unique advantages and benefits.
University of Illinois, Chicago
The University of Illinois, Chicago is one of the top colleges in Illinois. Located at the heart of the urban city, the college has much to offer students, including access to amenities and facilities. Moreover, they can explore several work and job opportunities alongside their degree.
The college offers a Criminology and Criminal Justice bachelor program. The curriculum focuses on developing an in-depth understanding of law enforcement and the legal implications of criminology. Aspiring criminology professionals will be pleased to know the college has a relatively high acceptance rate of 79% and a minimum GPA requirement of 3.5.
UIC’s interdisciplinary program features courses on law, crime, and legal systems. Students are taught a variety of perspectives including behavioral sciences and sociology. After graduation, students can explore several job opportunities such as probation office, paralegal, and more.
| Location:
Chicago, IL |
GPA requirement:
3.5 |
Acceptance rate:
79% |
Tuition fee:
$17,811 for in-state and $32,833 for out-of-station students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
Illinois State University
Illinois State University offers several advantages to its students and top quality education is among the top of that list. Additional benefits include sports opportunities, excellent housing, student organizations, and a vibrant student life. U.S. News lists Illinois State University as one of the best-value public colleges in Illinois.
The college has a relatively high graduation rate of 60% indicating a strong academic support system. Combined with the high acceptance rate of 86% and average GPA requirement of 3.6, it is an excellent option.
The university offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology. Students wishing to become a part of the justice system can explore the program. Taught by industry professionals, the program has much to offer aspiring criminology professionals.
Moreover, the college offers a myriad of housing options to students, including co-ed dorms and themed housing options. Additionally, the college has over 70 college sports teams allowing students plenty of extracurricular opportunities. Lastly, it hosts frequent career fairs, allowing students to develop their professional acumen and aid them in the job finding process after graduation.
| Location:
Normal, IL |
GPA requirement:
3.6 |
Acceptance rate:
86% |
Tuition fee:
$15,602 tuition and fees for in-state and $27,126 tuition and fee for out-of-state students Prices excluding housing and other charges |
Northern Illinois University
Many colleges do not offer a particular degree in the field of criminology. Since it’s an interdisciplinary field of study, it is usually offered in combination with other subjects. On the bright side, this is an excellent opportunity for students to learn and study various fields paired up with criminology, so that they have more open career paths available.
This is a unique advantage that Northern Illinois University has to offer, with its BA and BS in Sociology undergraduate degrees. Moreover, with a sociology major, you can opt for a criminology emphasis or minor and navigate your way through criminal studies through the lens of social sciences.
Moreover, the complete sociology undergraduate program is comprehensive and offers a holistic view of many things at once. It is best for developing skills like critical thinking, analytical abilities, and gender studies. Furthermore, the college is a great prospect for students with a mid-standard high school GPA, an average of 3.4 or more. The college has an acceptance rate of 74%.
| Location:
DeKalb, IL |
GPA requirement:
3.4 |
Acceptance rate:
71% |
Tuition fee:
$13,248 annually Price excludes living expenses and other charges |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The best way to grasp core concepts and theories in any field like criminology is to get hands-on practical experience during your academic years. This is why the BA and BS in Criminal Justice Studies at Southern Illinois Edwardsville is such a strong bachelor program.
Firstly, the program is focused on delivering core concepts and criminal justice concepts through practical opportunities such as case studies, research projects, and internships. Students get complete support from SIUE to enjoy a range of networking and growth opportunities.
Moreover, some of the most notable courses included in the program are related to juvenile justice, victimology, deviant behavior research, and prevention of crime. Furthermore, the college has an excellently generous acceptance rate of 98%, with an average GPA requirement of 3.6.
| Location:
Edwardsville, IL, |
GPA requirement:
3.6 |
Acceptance rate:
98% |
Tuition fee:
$26,456.50 including tuition, fee, room and board, and student health insurance fee |
How do you choose the good colleges in Illinois for criminology majors?
A huge part of your college planning is deciding which college meets your academic and professional goals. So before you start the college search, make sure you have answers to some of the most pressing questions about the criminology program. However, this decision is tricky and needs careful consideration of important factors, such as:
Faculty
To begin with your search for the best colleges in Illinois, look into the faculty members of each institute. Explore their academic achievements, as well as their contributions to the professional world. Moreover, look into any notable research work or other types of projects, and do not miss out on their contributions to that particular college.
Alumni profiles
Other than faculty, you should also look at the alumni of the college. Alumni profiles are those notable alumni of the college who are doing well for themselves with the degree that they have acquired. Their professional achievements are a reflection of the college’s exceptional quality standards.
Accreditations
In simple words, accreditations refer to badges, awards, and other forms of recognition given to colleges and universities in Illinois by recognized agencies and organizations. These accreditations reflect a college’s credibility, its reliability, and highlight its advantages. Some accreditations may be specific to the college, while others may be about specific programs.
Acceptance rate
One of the biggest challenges students face when finding colleges in Illinois is acceptance. They struggle with low high school GPAs or low SAT scores. Moreover, some colleges might have rigid admission criteria and low acceptance rates. To make sure your efforts do not go to waste, apply to colleges that have a high acceptance rate.
Graduation rate
Other than the acceptance rate, you should also look for a college’s graduation rate. This is the rate that reflects how many students graduate from college every year. The higher the rate, the better. It implies that the college provides ample support and facilities to students who need to fulfill higher education. It also reflects the college life and overall quality of education that enables students to stick for the complete 4 years of bachelor’s degrees.
Campus and student life
An important consideration that is often overlooked by many people is the campus and student life. For on-campus students, it is essential to consider the college’s proximity to urban areas or locations with opportunities for internships, research, and employment in criminology. Moreover, evaluate the availability of resources like libraries, research centers, and student organizations related to criminology.
For greater opportunities for growth and learning, diversity is very important. A diverse campus culture can enrich your educational experience and expose you to different perspectives in criminology. Therefore, look into the ethnic diversity in a college student body.
Program details
Lastly, criminology majors in colleges often have a diverse variety of coursework and program details. You might find standalone criminology degrees with all the essential courses, but limited options to choose other subjects. Look into the coursework and make sure that the essential courses are included and align with your career goals.
Colleges in other states
Do not limit your college options. Seek expert and reliable degree advice, and explore colleges and undergraduate programs in other states as well, such as:
- Sociology degree in Illinois
- Sociology degree in Texas
- Criminology degree in Georgia
- Criminology degree in Colorado
Are there criminology degree jobs in Illinois?
Criminology degree jobs in Illinois are particularly prevalent in the law enforcement and legal industry. You can explore a variety of job opportunities and roles in various parts of Illinois, with Chicago being the hub of criminology-related employment.
According to BLS, Illinois had over 31,000 police officers in 2022. Moreover, their median annual salary is approximately $82,800, which is significantly higher than the national median of $67,290. Due to higher crime rates, big cities like Chicago are particularly in need of more criminology jobs and professions.
Additionally, Illinois has a huge demand for criminology graduates and government and state-based institutes. The Illinois Department of Corrections is the most common employer of criminology graduates and professionals from various academic and professional backgrounds.
Another set of reports and studies shows that correction officers play a leading job role in Illinois. On average, corrections offered in Illinois make an average of $64,000 annually, with higher paying jobs easily available too. Moreover, BLS has predicted a 14% growth in forensic sciences employment in Chicago by the next 10 years.
In conclusion, the employment outlook for criminology majors is definitely promising. So, anyone would want to pursue a criminology major from one of the good colleges in Illinois that offer advantages like networking opportunities and good housing. Once you graduate, pursuing a criminology career in Illinois is a sensible decision.
Get ready for your criminology degree in Illinois
In conclusion, we can easily say that many good colleges in Illinois offer more than just basic academics. From excellent college sports to diverse housing options to phenomenal campus life, there is so much to make your college life memorable in Illinois. For pursuing a criminology degree, make sure you have explored a number of factors, such as campus life, college accreditation, and alumni profile
Many signs indicate you should pursue a criminology degree. Getting one from a reputable college in Illinois can open doors to a fulfilling career in law enforcement, public policy, or legal studies. Additionally, Illinois, with its robust job market and diverse criminology programs, offers numerous opportunities for growth and success.
In the end, as you go ahead in your college planning and finalize your college choice, keep in mind that the right institution will not only provide a solid education but also support your long-term career goals. It may do this through strong alumni networks and career services, or ensuring that only the best faculty members take you under their wing. With careful planning and consideration, you can find a good college in Illinois with a criminology program.