by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Corrections involves the study of Corrections. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Study The Theories And Principles, Of Correctional Science And To Function As Professional Corrections Officers And Other Workers In Public And/or Private Incarceration Facilities. Continue reading for the important information every corrections major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering corrections programs.
Across the country, corrections draws strong interest, with 4,967 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Corrections Schools ranking analyzes these 144 schools to determine the best overall colleges for corrections students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of corrections programs later in this article.
Studies in Corrections emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations corrections graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a corrections program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a corrections major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several corrections degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 63 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 279 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 253 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,568 |
People currently working in careers related to corrections tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 71.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 5.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Master’s degree | 1.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in corrections careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in corrections can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to corrections.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to corrections.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 514,818 | 8.7% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 290,410 | 11.9% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | 263,811 | 8.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 52,113 | 12.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of corrections graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,812 |
| 4 years | $44,073 |
| 5 years | $49,815 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for corrections graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers corrections grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,449 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $78,129 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,482 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $52,907 |
With 144 different corrections programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased corrections school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in corrections, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 41,895 |
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 26,997 |
| Criminal Justice/Police Science | 20,474 |
| Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other | 4,327 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2,175 |
| Securities Services Administration/Management | 662 |
| Security and Loss Prevention Services | 494 |
| Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing | 300 |
| Corrections Administration | 97 |
| Juvenile Corrections | 68 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
