Kentucky · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Best Criminal Justice and Corrections institutions in Kentucky, ranked by earnings

The Criminal Justice and Corrections program focuses on the various functions carried out by government agencies related to the punishment, treatment, and supervision of individuals convicted of crimes. This program is ideal for students…

Institutions
31
offering CIP 43.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
1,246
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$35,115
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
15
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,542
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
48%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Correctional Officers and Jailers
$43,510
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington Public · Certificate degree
$44,75212543%$8,865
2University of Louisville
Louisville Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,72823961%$23,151
3University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,56411450%$11,672$25,000
4Campbellsville University
Campbellsville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,8493442%$18,824$21,550
5Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,7244352%$25,000
6Thomas More University
Crestview Hills Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,1151140%$18,902
7Somerset Community College
Somerset Public · Certificate degree
$34,2455243%$15,899
8Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville Public · Associate degree
$33,3163035%$11,516
9Kentucky State University
Frankfort Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,0992032%$28,162
10Murray State University
Murray Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,0411761%$22,875

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-7.8%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~30,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$57,970
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive Learning

What Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
5,870
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$43,510
median $40,230
Best-paying metro
$55,100
Lexington-Fayette, KY

Related careers

Security Guards
$36,760 avg · 13,500 jobs
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$58,380 avg · 7,780 jobs
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$59,460 avg · 7,090 jobs
Correctional Officers and Jailers
$43,510 avg · 5,870 jobs
Compliance Officers
$70,930 avg · 4,100 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Kentucky.

Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Bluegrass Community and Technical College tops the list at $44,752. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Kentucky is $43,510 (median $40,230), across about 5,870 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Criminal Justice and Corrections program?+

The Criminal Justice and Corrections program focuses on the various functions carried out by government agencies related to the punishment, treatment, and supervision of individuals convicted of crimes. This program is ideal for students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, monitoring, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Correctional Officers and Jailers?+

The national job outlook is about -7.8% growth with around 30,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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