Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in Tennessee

Tennessee has 17 colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,515 recent graduates. Graduates earn $32,952 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,543.

School choice matters significantly: Bethel University graduates earn $50,022 while South College graduates earn $29,141 — a $20,881 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in TN

$32,952

TN Avg. Earnings

$34,543

National Avg.

742

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminal Justice and Corrections in Tennessee

Public Schools (7)

$32,395

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (7)

$33,649

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,254 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in Tennessee, Ranked by Earnings

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN · Private

$50,022

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $47,898

Graduates: 174

Acceptance: 97.2%

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$34,761

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,407

Graduates: 185

Acceptance: 68.0%

Strayer University-Tennessee

Memphis, TN ·

$40,448

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,520

Graduates: 346

Acceptance: N/A

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public

$32,843

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,951

Graduates: 127

Acceptance: 77.0%

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public

$32,569

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,715

Graduates: 182

Acceptance: 93.4%

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, TN · Public

$35,861

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,317

Graduates: 87

Acceptance: 96.0%

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN · Private

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,267

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 67.0%

King University

Bristol, TN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,753

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 54.4%

Tusculum University

Greeneville, TN · Private

The University of Tennessee-Martin

Martin, TN · Public

$28,500

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,423

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 87.3%

#11

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN · Public

$32,213

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,977

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 92.6%

#12

Lane College

Jackson, TN · Private

$19,455

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,663

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: N/A

#13

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public

$30,019

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,582

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 87.1%

#14

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN · Private

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN · Private

$33,459

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 59.3%

#16

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN ·

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,525

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: N/A

#17

South College

Knoxville, TN ·

$29,141

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Tennessee?

Bethel University ranks #1 for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Tennessee with median graduate earnings of $50,022 within two years of graduation. There are 17 schools offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state.

How much do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earn in Tennessee?

Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates in Tennessee earn an average of $32,952 within two years of graduation. This is 5% below the national average of $34,543 for this major.

What is the hardest Criminal Justice and Corrections school to get into in Tennessee?

King University is the most selective Criminal Justice and Corrections program in Tennessee with an acceptance rate of 54.4%. The average acceptance rate across Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state is 79.2%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, private Criminal Justice and Corrections programs produce average earnings of $33,649 vs $32,395 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Tennessee

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,457 Chemical Engineering $66,750 Engineering, General $62,877 Computer Science $59,925 Computer Engineering $59,120 Civil Engineering $58,536 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $57,018 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $56,708

All colleges in Tennessee →

Criminal Justice and Corrections in Other States

Pennsylvania Texas New York Ohio North Carolina California Georgia Florida Illinois Indiana Virginia Missouri View All →

Get Criminal Justice and Corrections Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.