Best Online Business Administration Programs in Charleston, SC (2026)
Charleston, South Carolina has a population of about 152,014. The city’s median household income is $90,038 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 57.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,564 to $11,453 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $132,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| College of Charleston | Charleston, SC | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | 8.9 mi | $4,564 - $11,453 | – |
| Charleston Southern University | Charleston, SC | 13.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Technical College of the Lowcountry | Beaufort, SC | 50.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Charleston
Charleston is part of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area (BLS area code 16700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to South Carolina statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $101,900 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $100,891 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $121,790 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $120,584 |
| Financial Manager | $132,490 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $131,178 |
| Human Resources Manager | $126,330 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $125,079 |
| Management Analyst | $97,090 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $96,129 |
| Project Management Specialist | $94,280 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $93,347 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $78,230 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $77,455 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $82,140 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $81,327 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $65,680 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $65,030 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Charleston at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,038 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 57.7% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 101.0 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Charleston County | 7,659 workers, 1,754 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Hanahan, SC – 8.4 mi away (23,439 pop)
- Mount Pleasant, SC – 8.4 mi away (84,170 pop)
- North Charleston, SC – 9.0 mi away (109,298 pop)
- Goose Creek, SC – 12.6 mi away (42,039 pop)
- Summerville, SC – 18.1 mi away (49,323 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Technical College of the Lowcountry (50.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Charleston are: Financial Manager ($132,490), Human Resources Manager ($126,330), Administrative Services Manager ($121,790). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with South Carolina statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Hanahan instead of Charleston?
Hanahan, SC is 8.4 miles from Charleston and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Charleston an affordable place to study business administration?
Charleston’s median household income of $90,038 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Charleston while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and South Carolina public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in South Carolina
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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