Education Behind Bars: Getting a Degree by Mail

Derek Bluford
May 24
3 min read

For incarcerated individuals, education can be the key that unlocks opportunity—not just upon release, but while serving time. While digital learning may not be available in most prisons, correspondence education by mail remains a powerful and accessible tool for earning a college degree from behind bars.

At A Better Tomorrow (ABT Community), we believe in the life-changing power of education. This guide explains how incarcerated individuals can pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree through the mail—and how families, advocates, and reentry organizations can support that journey.

Why College by Mail?

Most prisons limit or prohibit access to internet-based education platforms. But dozens of accredited colleges across the U.S. still offer paper-based correspondence programs, allowing incarcerated students to:

Work at their own pace
Earn real, transferable credits
Receive physical course materials by mail
Access degrees ranging from AA and AS to BA and BS

These programs are ideal for facilities without computers or internet, offering a structured, independent learning path.

What Kind of Degrees Are Available?

Programs vary, but common fields of study include:

Business Administration
Liberal Arts
Psychology
Theology and Ministry
Paralegal Studies
Social Sciences
General Education

Some schools even offer career-specific training, like real estate, accounting, or fitness coaching.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started

1. Identify an Accredited SchoolStart by finding schools that offer correspondence (paper-based) college programs for incarcerated students. A few reputable examples include:

Adams State University (CO)
California Coast University (CA)
Ohio University – College Program for the Incarcerated (OH)
Louisiana State University (LSU) Continuing Education (LA)
Northwestern Theological Seminary (FL)

A Better Tomorrow maintains a current list of institutions offering degree-by-mail programs. Reach out and we’ll help you find the right fit.

2. Request an Application Packet

The incarcerated individual (or their family advocate) should write to the admissions office asking for:

A paper application
A list of degree programs
Tuition and payment information
Transfer credit policies
A course catalog or syllabus list

Some schools also require transcripts from prior institutions, so it’s helpful to gather GED certificates or high school records if possible.

3. Understand the Costs

Tuition for correspondence programs ranges widely. Some schools charge $100–$250 per credit hour. Most programs are self-funded, but some may accept:

Third-party sponsors (nonprofits or churches)
Family support
Scholarship programs
Grants from foundations that support prison education

Unfortunately, federal Pell Grants are not widely available for mail-based programs yet, though reforms are expanding access.

ABT Community works with families and donors to help offset these costs when possible.

4. Begin Studying

Once enrolled, students receive textbooks, study guides, and assignments by mail. Typical responsibilities include:

Reading course materials
Completing written exams and essays
Submitting assignments via postal mail
Communicating with professors or graders through the institution

These courses are often self-paced, but some have deadlines. Completing assignments on time builds discipline and structure—qualities that strengthen reentry success.

Benefits of Earning a Degree While Incarcerated

Studies show that education reduces recidivism rates by over 40%.¹ But beyond the statistics, earning a degree has powerful personal impacts:

Boosts self-esteem and confidence
Creates job opportunities after release
Demonstrates growth and rehabilitation to parole boards and courts
Inspires others inside to pursue education
Builds a strong foundation for community reintegration

At ABT, we’ve seen firsthand how an associate’s or bachelor’s degree can change the course of someone’s life.

Final Thoughts: Education Is Freedom

You may be behind bars, but your mind isn’t locked up. Education opens doors—even from a prison cell.

If you or someone you love wants to earn a degree while incarcerated, reach out to A Better Tomorrow today. We’ll help you identify programs, complete applications, and navigate funding so you can take that first step toward a better future.

Because everyone deserves access to learning. And every degree earned behind bars is a brick laid on the path to freedom.

📚 Sources:

RAND Corporation. (2013). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Correctional Education. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR266.html
Vera Institute of Justice. (2022). College-in-Prison Programs Expand Opportunities. https://www.vera.org