Best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections in South Dakota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of South Dakota, University of Sioux Falls and Northern State University award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in South Dakota: 47, 17 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 South Dakota colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections and award 148 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 | University of South Dakota Vermillion Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,402 | 47 | 60% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | National American University - Rapid City Rapid City Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $45,720 | 8 | 0% | $22,086 | $51,547 |
| 3 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,858 | 17 | 63% | $19,439 | $26,950 |
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 | Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls Public · Associate degree Small program | $49,560 | 13 | 59% | — | $12,000 |
| 2 | Lake Area Technical College Watertown Public · Associate degree Small program | $41,230 | 12 | 73% | — | $12,000 |
| 3 | Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City Public · Associate degree Small program | $27,459 | 12 | 54% | — | $17,999 |
Colleges awarding the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in South Dakota
Top 6 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 South Dakota Vermillion Public | 47 | $40,402 |
| 2 | University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit | 17 | $38,858 |
| 3 | Northern State University Aberdeen Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 4 | Dakota Wesleyan University Mitchell Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 5 | Mount Marty University Yankton Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | Augustana University Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 South Dakota colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | Public | 13 |
| Lake Area Technical College | Watertown | Public | 12 |
| Western Dakota Technical College | Rapid City | Public | 12 |
| National American University - Rapid City (Online) | Rapid City | Private for-profit | 8 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012).
Top skills
What Correctional Officers and Jailers earn in South Dakota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in South Dakota.
Which South Dakota colleges award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees?+
University of South Dakota (47 graduates a year), University of Sioux Falls (17 graduates a year) and Northern State University (15 graduates a year) award the most Criminal Justice and Corrections degrees in South Dakota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 South Dakota colleges offer Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of South Dakota tops the list at $40,402. 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 South Dakota?+
The average annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Dakota is $53,260 (median $53,040), across about 1,490 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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