Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Portland State University, Southern Oregon University and Western Oregon University are the top bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Portland State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,401, College Scorecard. Portland State University, Western Oregon University and Southern Oregon University award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Oregon: 122, 64 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Oregon colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 310 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 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,401 | 122 | 53% | — | $26,641 |
| 2 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,553 | 32 | 43% | — | $22,000 |
| 3 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,289 | 64 | 47% | — | $24,000 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
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 | Portland Community College Portland Public · Associate degree Small program | $45,061 | 15 | 18% | — | $24,000 |
| 2 | Central Oregon Community College Bend Public · Associate degree Small program | $37,992 | 4 | 25% | — | — |
| 3 | Chemeketa Community College Salem Public · Associate degree | $33,406 | 34 | 21% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Oregon
Top 9 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 | Portland State University Portland Public | 122 | $45,401 |
| 2 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public | 64 | $40,289 |
| 3 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 32 | $40,553 |
| 4 | Klamath Community College Klamath Falls Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 5 | Corban University Salem Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Warner Pacific University Portland Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Treasure Valley Community College Ontario Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | Umpqua Community College Roseburg Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 7 Oregon colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemeketa Community College | Salem | Public | 34 |
| Portland Community College | Portland | Public | 15 |
| Central Oregon Community College | Bend | Public | 4 |
| Clackamas Community College | Oregon City | Public | 3 |
| Lane Community College | Eugene | Public | 3 |
| Rogue Community College | Grants Pass | Public | 2 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012).
Top skills
What Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+
Portland State University (122 graduates a year), Western Oregon University (64 graduates a year) and Southern Oregon University (32 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Oregon colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.
What is the best college for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Portland State University leads among bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,401, College Scorecard. Southern Oregon University and Western Oregon University follow. By degrees awarded, Portland State University is the largest, with 122 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Portland State University tops the list at $45,401. 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 Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Oregon is $80,890 (median $83,690), across about 3,650 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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