The map of the United States above shows the states with more prisons than colleges (in orange) and states with more colleges than prisons (in blue).
In 14 U.S. states there are more degree-granting colleges and universities than there are prisons and jails. Conversely, most of the United States (36 states, to be precise) have more prisons than colleges.
Massachusetts has the best ratio with 4.3 colleges (87 of them, to be exact) for every prison/jail (35). At the other end of the scale, Wyoming has a whopping 600% prisons/jails for every college (28 prisons vs. just 4 colleges).
Regional Patterns
Looking at regions, the Northeast clearly values higher education more than incarceration, while many Southern states have heavily invested in correctional facilities over educational institutions.
The United States currently incarcerates about 2.3 million people in 1,833 state prisons, 110 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,134 local jails, 218 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian Country jails.
Meanwhile, the whole nation has approximately 4,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. This means that nationwide, there are roughly 2 correctional facilities for every educational institution.
America’s Incarceration Reality
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world with approximately 639 people per 100,000 in prison or jail. This mass incarceration costs the country around $80 billion annually across federal, state and local budgets.
By comparison, states spent about $109 billion on public higher education in the most recent fiscal year. While education spending exceeds prison costs, the gap is not as wide as many might expect.
The Economic Argument
Research consistently shows that investment in education correlates with reduced crime rates. For every dollar invested in education, studies show approximately $2.50 is saved in criminal justice costs. Additionally, incarcerated individuals who participate in educational programs are 43% less likely to return to prison.
The economic comparison is striking. A year of imprisonment costs taxpayers approximately $35,000 per inmate, while the average annual cost for a four-year public college is around $10,000 per student.
Moreover, college graduates earn approximately $1 million more over their lifetimes compared to those with only high school diplomas, generating substantially more tax revenue and economic growth.
Reform Initiatives
Several states have recognized this imbalance and begun implementing reforms to reduce prison populations while reinvesting in education.
The states of California, New York, and Texas have all introduced initiatives to decrease incarceration rates and redirect funds toward educational programs.
States with more balanced approaches often implement alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs, drug courts, and community service. These alternatives not only reduce prison populations but also cost significantly less than traditional incarceration.
What The Stats Tell Us
The prison-to-college ratio across U.S. states provides a powerful lens for examining national priorities. States investing more heavily in educational institutions tend to experience lower crime rates, stronger economies, and better social outcomes.
As policymakers debate criminal justice reform and educational funding, these statistics offer valuable context for understanding how different states balance punishment versus opportunity.
The numbers suggest a clear path forward: shifting resources toward educational opportunities that prevent crime rather than focusing primarily on punitive measures that respond to it after the fact.
Data sources: Studee and Prison Policy Initiative
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