Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Rock Hill, SC (2026)
Rock Hill, South Carolina has a population of about 74,769. The city’s median household income is $64,770 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 34.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rock Hill, with tuition ranging from $2,792 to $32,494 per year. In the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $137,270 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Rock Hill
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Rock Hill city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 1.9 mi | $5,512 - $15,399 | – |
| University of South Carolina-Lancaster | Lancaster, SC | 19.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 22.1 mi | $2,792 - $10,951 | – |
| Belmont Abbey College | Belmont, NC | 22.1 mi | $19,500 - $32,494 | – |
| Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 27.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina criminal justice page.
Criminal Justice Wages Near Rock Hill
Rock Hill is part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area (BLS area code 16740). 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 | $137,270 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $141,079 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $74,170 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,228 |
| Police Supervisor | $103,870 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $106,752 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $69,530 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,459 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $65,230 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $67,040 |
| Correctional Officer | $53,010 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $54,481 |
| Probation Officer | $60,410 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $62,086 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $50,420 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,819 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $53,550 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $55,036 |
| Information Security Analyst | $127,840 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,387 |
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.
Rock Hill at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,769 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $64,770 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 34.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.3 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Rock Hill-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Lancaster, SC – 20.5 mi away (25,691 pop)
- Charlotte, NC – 21.5 mi away (1,438,351 pop)
- Matthews, NC – 21.7 mi away (31,495 pop)
- Gastonia, NC – 23.1 mi away (178,477 pop)
- Indian Trail, NC – 23.3 mi away (38,222 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Rock Hill, SC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Rock Hill. The closest is York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC (1.9 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gaston College (27.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Rock Hill?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Rock Hill are: Attorney ($137,270), Information Security Analyst ($127,840), Police Supervisor ($103,870). 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 Lancaster instead of Rock Hill?
Lancaster, SC is 20.5 miles from Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Rock Hill’s median household income of $64,770 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Rock Hill 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
Back to Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in South Carolina (2026)
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