South Dakota · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Best Criminal Justice and Corrections institutions in South Dakota, ranked by earnings

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
9
offering CIP 43.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
146
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$40,402
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,086
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
51%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Correctional Officers and Jailers
$50,960
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 6 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls Public · Associate degree
$49,5601559%$12,000
2National American University - Rapid City
Rapid City Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,720140%$22,086$51,547
3Lake Area Technical College
Watertown Public · Associate degree
$41,2301873%$12,000
4University of South Dakota
Vermillion Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,4024260%$25,000
5University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,8581863%$19,439$26,950
6Western Dakota Technical College
Rapid City Public · Associate degree
$27,459954%$17,999

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 South Dakota

Jobs in South Dakota
1,380
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$50,960
median $52,310
Best-paying metro
$57,700
Sioux Falls, SD-MN

Related careers

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$62,940 avg · 1,890 jobs
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
$53,780 avg · 1,850 jobs
Security Guards
$39,340 avg · 1,420 jobs
Correctional Officers and Jailers
$50,960 avg · 1,380 jobs
Compliance Officers
$78,950 avg · 1,180 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in South Dakota.

Which Criminal Justice and Corrections program in South Dakota has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Southeast Technical College tops the list at $49,560. Compare it against completions, 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 $50,960 (median $52,310), across about 1,380 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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