Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
Minot State University, University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University are the top bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in North Dakota by graduate earnings. Minot State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,579, College Scorecard. University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University and Minot State University award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in North Dakota: 54, 50 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 North Dakota colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 212 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…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot State University Minot Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,579 | 20 | 45% | — | $26,343 |
| 2 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,825 | 54 | 60% | — | $19,875 |
| 3 | North Dakota State University Fargo Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,057 | 50 | 64% | — | $23,125 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Region State College Devils Lake Public · Certificate | $57,765 | 38 | 52% | — | $10,131 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in North Dakota
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks Public | 54 | $42,825 |
| 2 | North Dakota State University Fargo Public | 50 | $38,057 |
| 3 | Minot State University Minot Public | 20 | $45,579 |
| 4 | University of Mary Bismarck Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Jamestown Jamestown Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Dickinson State University Dickinson Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | Bismarck State College Bismarck Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 North Dakota colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Region State College | Devils Lake | Public | 38 |
| United Tribes Technical College | Bismarck | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Sitting Bull College | Fort Yates | Public | 6 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012).
Top skills
What Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in North Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in North Dakota.
Which North Dakota colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+
University of North Dakota (54 graduates a year), North Dakota State University (50 graduates a year) and Minot State University (20 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in North Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 North Dakota colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.
What is the best college for Criminal Justice and Corrections in North Dakota?+
By graduate earnings, Minot State University leads among bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in North Dakota, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,579, College Scorecard. University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Dakota is the largest, with 54 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in North Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Minot State University tops the list at $45,579. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in North Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Dakota is $55,090 (median $52,460), across about 1,290 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.
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