Montana · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Montana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Montana State University Billings, Montana State University - Northern and Blackfeet Community College award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees and certificates in Montana: 15, 8 and 5 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Montana colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 39 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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
6
offering CIP 43.01
States & territories
57
with a program page
Degrees / yr
39
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$43,158
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,500
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
34%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Correctional Officers and Jailers
$52,980
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Montana State University - Northern
Havre Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$43,158841%—$24,069

Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Montana

Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Montana State University Billings
Billings Public
15Not reported
2Montana State University - Northern
Havre Public
8$43,158
3Blackfeet Community College
Browning Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
Show the other 3 Montana colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of ProvidenceGreat FallsPrivate not-for-profit9
Flathead Valley Community CollegeKalispellPublic1
Fort Peck Community CollegePoplarPublic1

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 Montana

Jobs in Montana
1,430
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$52,980
median $49,180
Best-paying metro
$76,390
Missoula, MT

Related careers

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$69,540 avg · 2,160 jobs
Security Guards
$42,270 avg · 1,610 jobs
Compliance Officers
$75,270 avg · 1,480 jobs
Correctional Officers and Jailers
$52,980 avg · 1,430 jobs
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$54,100 avg · 1,250 jobs

Common questions

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

Which Montana colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+

Montana State University Billings (15 graduates a year), Montana State University - Northern (8 graduates a year) and Blackfeet Community College (5 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees and certificates in Montana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Montana colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.

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

The average annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Montana is $52,980 (median $49,180), across about 1,430 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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