Best Online Criminal Justice 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 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $4,488 to $14,074 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $105,640 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice 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 | – |
| 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 | – |
| Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | 59.1 mi | $4,488 - $14,074 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney | $105,640 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $104,594 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $93,220 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $92,297 |
| Police Supervisor | $82,620 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $81,802 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $77,440 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $76,673 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $60,250 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,653 |
| Correctional Officer | $49,900 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $49,406 |
| Probation Officer | $54,990 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $54,446 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,960 | SC statewide | $49,465 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $50,830 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $50,327 |
| Information Security Analyst | $99,150 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $98,168 |
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 |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Criminal Justice 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 criminal justice programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice 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 Williamsburg Technical College (59.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Charleston are: Attorney ($105,640), Information Security Analyst ($99,150), Judge or Magistrate ($93,220). 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 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 Charleston an affordable place to study criminal justice?
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 Criminal Justice Programs in South Carolina
- Main Criminal Justice Degree Guide
- Criminal Justice Programs by State
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