Best Online Education 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. Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering education programs near Sumter, with tuition ranging from $11,060 to $29,957 per year for indexed programs. In the Sumter, SC metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $90,910 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Sumter
The 10 accredited institutions below are the closest among the 40 schools in our directory that offer education programs near Sumter. Distances are calculated from Sumter city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morris College | Sumter, SC | 2.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Coker University | Hartsville, SC | 35.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Allen University | Columbia, SC | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Benedict College | Columbia, SC | 36.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia, SC | 36.5 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia College | Columbia, SC | 37.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Columbia International University | Columbia, SC | 40.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg, SC | 40.2 mi | $11,060 - $29,957 | – |
| Claflin University | Orangeburg, SC | 40.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia, SC | 41.4 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all South Carolina schools on the South Carolina education page.
Education 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $60,030 | Sumter, SC | $68,216 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $55,870 | Sumter, SC | $63,489 |
| Middle School Teacher | $56,210 | Sumter, SC | $63,875 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $64,690 | SC statewide | $73,511 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $90,910 | Sumter, SC | $103,307 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $83,710 | SC statewide | $95,125 |
| Tutor | $36,860 | SC statewide | $41,886 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $53,550 | Sumter, SC | $60,852 |
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 |
| Education-related employment in Sumter County | 546 workers, 32 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Sumter-Area Cities With Education 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 education schools are near Sumter, SC?
Our directory has 40 accredited schools offering education programs near Sumter. The closest is Morris College in Sumter, SC (2.7 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Midlands Technical College (41.4 miles). 0 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Sumter?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Sumter are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($90,910), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($83,710), Education Teacher, Postsecondary ($64,690). 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 education 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 education?
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
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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