Criminal Justice and Corrections at Lewis University

Lewis University's Criminal Justice program graduates leave with significantly less debt than their Illinois peers—$20,000 versus the state median of $25,751—but this advantage doesn't fully compensate for below-average starting earnings. At $37,583 one year out, graduates earn about $1,700 less than the typical Illinois criminal justice graduate and fall in just the 40th percentile statewide. The top programs in Illinois, like Benedictine and Aurora, deliver starting salaries 20-25% higher.

The good news is trajectory. Earnings climb 26% by year four to $47,449, suggesting graduates find their footing in law enforcement, corrections, or related fields after initial entry-level positions. The debt burden remains manageable throughout—that $20,000 figure represents just 53% of first-year earnings, well below levels that typically strain budgets.

For families, this comes down to a calculation: Is saving $5,000-6,000 in debt worth starting $6,000-8,000 behind graduates from higher-performing Illinois programs? If your child has the academic credentials for Aurora or Benedictine (both also private institutions with similar missions), those warrant serious consideration. But if Lewis offers the best financial aid package or fits better academically, the modest debt load means graduates won't be drowning in payments while building their careers in public safety.