2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in Kentucky
[Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/corrections/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Corrections Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Corrections Schools
Leading the list is Kentucky State University, our #1 best value for corrections in Kentucky. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,162 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value corrections schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the corrections program here. Corrections graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $36,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Pikeville College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in corrections, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,850. Corrections graduates carry a median of $22,330 in student loans. Early-career corrections graduates make about $27,025. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Corrections Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
