# Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 15 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-south-carolina

## Methodology

Criminal Justice programs in South Carolina ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Citadel Military College graduates earn an average of $72,085, the highest in this list.
- Graduation rates vary significantly, with Citadel at 74% compared to USC-Lancaster's 27%.
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College has the lowest net price at $4,159, making it more accessible.
- The overall average earnings for graduates from these schools is $43,632.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Newberry College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/newberry-college) | Newberry, SC | 45% | $48,040 | $21,656 | $26,805 | 0.56x |
| 2 | [North Greenville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-greenville-university) | Tigerville, SC | 55% | $43,035 | $21,063 | $23,082 | 0.54x |
| 3 | [Spartanburg Methodist College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spartanburg-methodist-college) | Spartanburg, SC | 41% | $42,895 | $14,580 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 4 | [Citadel Military College of South Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/citadel-military-college-of-south-carolina) | Charleston, SC | 74% | $72,085 | $20,723 | $21,096 | 0.29x |
| 5 | [Charleston Southern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/charleston-southern-university) | Charleston, SC | 48% | $45,898 | $21,666 | $26,471 | 0.58x |
| 6 | [Claflin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/claflin-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 50% | $40,304 | $17,800 | $29,000 | 0.72x |
| 7 | [South Carolina State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-carolina-state-university) | Orangeburg, SC | 33% | $38,262 | $18,097 | $31,000 | 0.81x |
| 8 | [University of South Carolina-Columbia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-columbia) | Columbia, SC | 78% | $62,177 | $22,811 | $21,500 | 0.35x |
| 9 | [Voorhees University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/voorhees-university) | Denmark, SC | 40% | $35,339 | $13,335 | $26,700 | 0.76x |
| 10 | [University of South Carolina-Upstate](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-upstate) | Spartanburg, SC | 43% | $48,587 | $13,557 | $22,310 | 0.46x |
| 11 | [Columbia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-college-sc) | Columbia, SC | 45% | $41,338 | $18,408 | $22,750 | 0.55x |
| 12 | [Anderson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/anderson-university-sc) | Anderson, SC | 67% | $42,101 | $23,544 | $26,700 | 0.63x |
| 13 | [Benedict College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/benedict-college) | Columbia, SC | 23% | $31,902 | $18,250 | $32,500 | 1.02x |
| 14 | [University of South Carolina-Lancaster](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-carolina-lancaster) | Lancaster, SC | 27% | $39,426 | $9,801 | $9,616 | 0.24x |
| 15 | [Morris College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morris-college) | Sumter, SC | 19% | $30,614 | $20,555 | $31,400 | 1.03x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-south-carolina

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.