Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina
- 15
- Schools
- $44,134
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,390
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,195
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 15 schools run from $30,614 to $72,085, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of South Carolina-Lancaster delivers the most for the money: roughly $39,426 in median earnings against $9,801 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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University of South Carolina-Lancaster is the lowest-cost school here at $9,801 a year in net price.
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University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates 78% of its students, versus a 46% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of South Carolina-Lancaster carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.24× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Newberry College ($48,040 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($72,085), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- University of South Carolina-Lancaster costs $9,801 a year and Anderson University costs $23,544. Yet their graduates earn $39,426 and $42,101, nowhere near the $13,743 price gap.
- On value, University of South Carolina-Lancaster beats Citadel Military College of South Carolina: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with University of South Carolina-Lancaster and University of South Carolina-Columbia. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $42K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Newberry College #1 overall | $48,040 ▲ +9% vs avg | $21,656 | 45% | 65 |
| 2 North Greenville University #2 overall | $43,035 ▼ -2% vs avg | $21,063 | 55% | 65 |
| 3 Spartanburg Methodist College #3 overall | $42,895 ▼ -3% vs avg | $14,580 | 41% | 63 |
| $72,085 ▲ +63% vs avg | $20,723 | 74% | 63 | |
| $45,898 ▲ +4% vs avg | $21,666 | 48% | 63 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina
This analysis ranks 15 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $44,134 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $18,390.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of South Carolina-Lancaster — Net Price: $9,801 | Graduation Rate: 27%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of South Carolina-Columbia — 78% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Citadel Military College of South Carolina — Median alumni earnings: $72,085
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$42,101
Median earnings (10yr)
45%
Median graduation rate
$18,408
Median net price
2.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
The median graduation rate across these 15 schools is 45%. Median graduate earnings reach $42,101 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,408 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $26,471. Some 48% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.0%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $42,101 against $26,471 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Newberry College lands at #1 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $48,040 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,656 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
North Greenville University lands at #2 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,035 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,063 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Spartanburg Methodist College lands at #3 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,895 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,580 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charleston, SC · 23% accepted · $20,723 net
Why it ranks #4
Citadel Military College of South Carolina lands at #4 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $72,085 a decade after enrolling, 63% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,723 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Charleston Southern University lands at #5 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,898 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,666 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Claflin University lands at #6 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,304 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
South Carolina State University lands at #7 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,262 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,097 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of South Carolina-Columbia lands at #8 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $62,177 a decade after enrolling, 41% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,811 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Voorhees University lands at #9 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $35,339 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,335 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Spartanburg, SC · 67% accepted · $13,557 net
Why it ranks #10
University of South Carolina-Upstate lands at #10 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (63/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,587 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,557 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Columbia College lands at #11 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (58/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,338 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,408 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Anderson University lands at #12 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $42,101 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,544 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Benedict College lands at #13 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (55/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $31,902 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,250 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Lancaster, SC · 83% accepted · $9,801 net
Why it ranks #14
University of South Carolina-Lancaster lands at #14 with a 50/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (34/100). Graduates earn a median $39,426 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,801 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Morris College lands at #15 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (57/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $30,614 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 15 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Considering a career in criminal justice? South Carolina has several colleges that can help pave the way. These institutions not only provide focused programs but also aim to ensure graduates are well-equipped for the workforce, making this list an essential resource for prospective students.
The schools listed here are ranked based on critical outcomes, including earnings potential, graduation rates, net price, and student debt. Looking closely at these metrics can help you understand which programs may offer the best return on investment and long-term career mobility. Check out the details below to see how your options stack up.
For example, Citadel Military College of South Carolina stands out with an impressive average earning of $72,085 and a graduation rate of 74%. In contrast, the University of South Carolina-Upstate has a much lower earning potential at $48,587 and a graduation rate of only 43%. This contrast highlights the importance of not just the degree but the institution's support in helping students succeed.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 6 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Claflin University leads the group at 3.6%, with Spartanburg Methodist College (2.6%) and Charleston Southern University (2.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 15.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Claflin University enrolls the most, at 31.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 14.2% across the list, peaking at 18% at South Carolina State University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.17, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and North Greenville University is highest at 1.50.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing schools, the data reveals why Citadel Military College excels in criminal justice programs. With a graduation rate of 74% and average earnings of $72,085, it clearly outperforms the University of South Carolina-Upstate, which has a graduation rate of just 43% and lower earnings of $48,587. This stark difference underscores the importance of program support for student success.
As you explore the options, consider how each school's metrics align with your personal priorities. Think about factors such as location, campus culture, and financial considerations. For instance, while Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers a low net price of $4,159, its lower earning potential may require you to weigh immediate affordability against long-term career goals.
Ultimately, this data speaks to the crucial link between education and economic stability. Choosing the right program can set the foundation for a successful career in criminal justice. For families, this decision impacts not just finances but the overall path to a secure future. Make sure to consider every angle as you make this important choice.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina ranking? +
Newberry College in Newberry, SC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,040 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 45% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Citadel Military College of South Carolina posts the highest median earnings on this list: $72,085 ten years after enrollment, well above the $44,134 average across the 15 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, University of South Carolina-Lancaster leads: graduates earn a median $39,426 against net price of about $9,801 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of South Carolina-Columbia has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 78%, compared with a 46% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,390 a year across the 15 ranked schools with cost data. University of South Carolina-Lancaster is among the most affordable at roughly $9,801. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 15 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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