Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Gaffney, SC (2026)
Gaffney, South Carolina has a population of about 12,612. The city’s median household income is $41,214 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 21.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our directory has 59 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Gaffney, with tuition ranging from $2,602 to $32,965 per year for indexed programs. In South Carolina, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $104,160 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Gaffney
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 59 schools in our directory that offer criminal justice programs near Gaffney. Distances are calculated from Gaffney city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | 1.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs, NC | 12.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | 16.9 mi | $2,602 - $8,746 | – |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | 18.6 mi | $11,583 - $24,565 | – |
| Spartanburg Methodist College | Spartanburg, SC | 19.6 mi | $19,350 - $32,965 | – |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | 20.1 mi | $5,046 - $15,031 | – |
| Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | 23.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 31.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 37.0 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 38.6 mi | $5,512 - $15,399 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Gaffney
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (South Carolina, statewide) |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $104,160 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $84,270 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,230 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $63,060 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $58,020 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,470 |
| Probation Officer | $56,090 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,960 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $48,640 |
| Information Security Analyst | N/A |
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.
Gaffney at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,612 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $41,214 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 21.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
Other Gaffney-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Shelby, NC – 16.2 mi away (27,288 pop)
- Spartanburg, SC – 17.7 mi away (185,031 pop)
- Forest City, NC – 21.6 mi away (25,817 pop)
- Gastonia, NC – 29.2 mi away (178,477 pop)
- Greer, SC – 34.1 mi away (29,000 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice schools are near Gaffney, SC?
Our directory has 59 accredited schools offering criminal justice programs near Gaffney. The closest is Limestone University in Gaffney, SC (1.2 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is York Technical College (38.6 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles in South Carolina?
Based on BLS May 2024 state wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles in South Carolina are: Attorney ($104,160), Judge or Magistrate ($84,270), Police Supervisor ($80,230). Wages for Gaffney workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.
Should I look at programs in Shelby instead of Gaffney?
Shelby, NC is 16.2 miles from Gaffney 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 Gaffney an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Gaffney’s median household income of $41,214 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Gaffney 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
Data verified: May 5, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2024; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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