Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Aiken, SC (2026)
Aiken, South Carolina has a population of about 32,334. The city’s median household income is $69,837 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 45.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Aiken, with tuition ranging from $12,630 to $25,793 per year. In the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $115,410 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Aiken
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Aiken city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken Technical College | Graniteville, SC | 6.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Augusta University | Augusta, GA | 15.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Augusta Technical College | Augusta, GA | 20.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Denmark Technical College | Denmark, SC | 36.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Voorhees University | Denmark, SC | 36.9 mi | $12,630 - $25,793 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Aiken
Aiken is part of the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area (BLS area code 12260). 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $115,410 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $125,582 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $84,000 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $91,404 |
| Police Supervisor | $78,440 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $85,354 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $60,010 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $65,299 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $57,250 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $62,296 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,450 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,720 |
| Probation Officer | $51,990 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $56,572 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,960 | SC statewide | $54,363 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $49,680 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $54,059 |
| Information Security Analyst | $105,100 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $114,363 |
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.
Aiken at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,334 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,837 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 45.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Aiken-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- North Augusta, SC – 13.1 mi away (22,932 pop)
- Augusta, GA – 22.9 mi away (389,215 pop)
- Lexington, SC – 43.0 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 49.6 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Greenwood, SC – 52.0 mi away (42,279 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Aiken, SC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Aiken. The closest is Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, SC (6.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Voorhees University (36.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Aiken?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Aiken are: Attorney ($115,410), Information Security Analyst ($105,100), Judge or Magistrate ($84,000). 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 North Augusta instead of Aiken?
North Augusta, SC is 13.1 miles from Aiken and has its own set of local criminal justice programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Aiken an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Aiken’s median household income of $69,837 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Aiken 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 Criminal Justice Programs in South Carolina
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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