Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Sumter, SC (2026)
Sumter, South Carolina has a population of about 43,065. The city’s median household income is $53,071 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 28.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sumter, with tuition ranging from $5,715 to $13,295 per year. In the Sumter, SC metro area, the top-earning criminal justice-related role is Attorney at a median $96,820 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Criminal Justice Schools to Sumter
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer criminal justice programs. Distances are calculated from Sumter city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 1.3 mi | $5,715 - $13,295 | – |
| Morris College | Sumter, SC | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allen University | Columbia, SC | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 36.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | 36.5 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 Sumter
Sumter is part of the Sumter, SC metro area (BLS area code 44940). 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 | $96,820 | Sumter, SC | $110,023 |
| Judge or Magistrate | $84,270 | SC statewide | $95,761 |
| Police Supervisor | $80,230 | SC statewide | $91,170 |
| Detective or Criminal Investigator | $53,480 | Sumter, SC | $60,773 |
| Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer | $52,030 | Sumter, SC | $59,125 |
| Correctional Officer | $48,470 | SC statewide | $55,080 |
| Probation Officer | $56,090 | SC statewide | $63,739 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $49,960 | SC statewide | $56,773 |
| Paralegal or Legal Assistant | $47,040 | Sumter, SC | $53,455 |
| Information Security Analyst | N/A | SC statewide | – |
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.
Sumter at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,065 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $53,071 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 28.6% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 88.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Sumter-Area Cities With Criminal Justice Programs
- Columbia, SC – 30.1 mi away (571,249 pop)
- Florence, SC – 38.5 mi away (92,614 pop)
- Orangeburg, SC – 41.2 mi away (31,666 pop)
- Lexington, SC – 47.5 mi away (20,988 pop)
- Lancaster, SC – 58.6 mi away (25,691 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited criminal justice programs are near Sumter, SC?
Our directory lists 5 criminal justice programs within 100 miles of Sumter. The closest is Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, SC (1.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is University of South Carolina-Columbia (36.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying criminal justice roles near Sumter?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying criminal justice-related roles near Sumter are: Attorney ($96,820), Judge or Magistrate ($84,270), Police Supervisor ($80,230). 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 Columbia instead of Sumter?
Columbia, SC is 30.1 miles from Sumter 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 Sumter an affordable place to study criminal justice?
Sumter’s median household income of $53,071 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Sumter 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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