by our College Data Analytics Team
[Criminal Justice And Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to earn the most.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #1 spot for highest-paid criminal justice and corrections graduates in Tennessee. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of about $60,445 a year early in their careers.
Nashville State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Nashville State Community College is a public school located in the city of Nashville. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Nashville State Community College make a median of around $48,869 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Cumberland University one of the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,377.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying criminal justice and corrections schools. Volunteer State Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of about $46,113 a year early in their careers.
Strayer University Tennessee produces some of the highest-paid graduates in criminal justice and corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Strayer University Tennessee is a private for-profit institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Strayer University Tennessee make a median of around $54,929 per year.
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #6 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,000.
Walters State Community College came in at #7 for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Walters State Community College is a public school located in the city of Morristown. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,379.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,140.
Austin Peay State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Austin Peay State University typically earn about $53,438 annually.
Cleveland State Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a public institution. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from Cleveland State Community College make a median of around $49,946 per year.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga typically earn about $47,664 annually.
University Of Memphis placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Students who complete the criminal justice and corrections program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,589.
South College placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Set in the city of Knoxville, South College is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from South College typically earn about $44,713 annually.
Tennessee State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for criminal justice and corrections. Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Nashville. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from Tennessee State University typically earn about $48,027 annually.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #15 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin typically earn about $43,797 annually.
Lane College earned the #16 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a private not-for-profit institution. Criminal Justice And Corrections graduates of Lane College earn a median of about $35,917 a year early in their careers.
East Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for criminal justice and corrections salaries this year. East Tennessee State University is a public school located in the city of Johnson City. Early-career criminal justice and corrections graduates from East Tennessee State University make a median of around $43,784 per year.
King College earned the #18 position for criminal justice and corrections graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, criminal justice and corrections degree recipients from King College typically earn about $33,580 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries criminal justice and corrections graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 18 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.