Best Online Education 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 2 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Charleston, with tuition ranging from $5,498 to $29,957 per year. In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $101,490 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Charleston
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Charleston city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 69.6 mi | $11,060 - $29,957 | – |
| Savannah State University | Savannah, GA | 84.1 mi | $5,498 - $17,185 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina education page.
Education 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $63,350 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $62,723 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $59,880 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,287 |
| Middle School Teacher | $60,930 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $60,327 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $79,090 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $78,307 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $101,490 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $100,485 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $97,000 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $96,040 |
| Tutor | $49,620 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $49,129 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $63,900 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,267 |
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 |
| Education-related employment in Charleston County | 4,256 workers, 317 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Charleston-Area Cities With Education 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 education programs are near Charleston, SC?
Our directory lists 2 education programs within 100 miles of Charleston. The closest is South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC (69.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Savannah State University (84.1 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Charleston?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Charleston are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($101,490), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($97,000), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($79,090). 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 education 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 education?
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.
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