Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in South Carolina (2026)

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South Carolina Criminal Justice At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Criminal Justice Salary$71,723
Salary OutlookSouth Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodySouth Carolina POST Commission
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online criminal justice degree in South Carolina offers a flexible path into criminal justice careers. South Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, South Carolina students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Criminal Justice Schools in South Carolina

The following schools offer accredited online criminal justice programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in South Carolina.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC BOC Score 77.1
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 74%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $72,085
Avg net price $20,723/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 87%
  • Programs offered: 24

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC BOC Score 74.1
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 77%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $62,177
Avg net price $22,811/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 68

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Bob Jones University

Greenville, SC BOC Score 59.3
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $44,354
Avg net price $16,641/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 29

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Benedict College

Columbia, SC BOC Score 16.1
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 22%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $31,902
Avg net price $18,250/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 61%
  • Programs offered: 18

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Morris College

Sumter, SC BOC Score 12.9
  • 4 year
Graduation rate 29%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $30,614
Avg net price $20,555/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 44%
  • Programs offered: 10

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in South Carolina

Criminal Justice professionals in South Carolina experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for South Carolina.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (South Carolina)
Attorney$120,310
Judge or Magistrate$86,210
Police Supervisor$73,700
Detective or Criminal Investigator$62,760
Police or Sheriff’s Patrol Officer$58,070
Correctional Officer$47,890
Probation Officer$56,780
Forensic Science Technician$51,830
Paralegal or Legal Assistant$53,880
Information Security Analyst$105,800

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Criminal Justice Degree in South Carolina?

Choosing a program in South Carolina can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in South Carolina offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Licensing Alignment: Programs in South Carolina often align with POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) requirements specific to the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online criminal justice programs in South Carolina accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Criminal Justice pay in South Carolina compare to other states?

South Carolina offers competitive wages for criminal justice professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes South Carolina a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for criminal justice in South Carolina?

The South Carolina POST Commission oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in South Carolina. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


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