Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales University - Providence and Rhode Island College are the top bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Roger Williams University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,356, College Scorecard. Roger Williams University, Johnson & Wales University - Providence and Salve Regina University award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Rhode Island: 110, 55 and 40 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 313 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 4 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 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,356 | 110 | 69% | $34,648 | $26,000 |
| 2 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,871 | 55 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Rhode Island College Providence Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,163 | 36 | 48% | — | $21,625 |
| 4 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,898 | 40 | 77% | $31,899 | $27,000 |
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 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Public · Associate degree | $30,219 | 43 | 26% | — | $12,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Rhode Island
Top 5 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 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 110 | $45,356 |
| 2 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit | 55 | $38,871 |
| 3 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit | 40 | $36,898 |
| 4 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 36 | $38,163 |
| 5 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Rhode Island colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | 43 |
| Johnson & Wales University - Online (Online) | Providence | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021).
Top skills
What Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+
Roger Williams University (110 graduates a year), Johnson & Wales University - Providence (55 graduates a year) and Salve Regina University (40 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Rhode Island colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.
What is the best college for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, Roger Williams University leads among bachelor's Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $45,356, College Scorecard. Johnson & Wales University - Providence and Rhode Island College follow. By degrees awarded, Roger Williams University is the largest, with 110 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Roger Williams University tops the list at $45,356. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn in Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rhode Island is $98,430 (median $88,450), across about 360 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 Detectives and Criminal Investigators?+
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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