2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in South Carolina
[Criminal Justice](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/criminal-justice/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for criminal justice students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Criminal Justice Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice Schools
University Of South Carolina Lancaster earned the #1 spot for value among criminal justice schools in South Carolina. Set in the town of Lancaster, University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $11,592. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,592 median debt. University Of South Carolina Lancaster admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Upstate one of the best values for criminal justice. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $34,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
A rank of #3 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for criminal justice. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $27,174. Criminal Justice graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #4 makes Voorhees College one of the best values for criminal justice. Located in the rural area of Denmark, Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,339.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spartanburg Methodist College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice. Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $20,650. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $12,000. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $14,509. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice schools. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,046 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $37,009. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $33,026. That is a strong return on a $37,009 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University South Carolina placed #7 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the city of Greenville, Strayer University South Carolina is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $56,937. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $43,405. That is a strong return on a $56,937 median debt.
South Carolina State University placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from South Carolina State University generally make around $32,576. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Benedict College landed the #9 spot for criminal justice value this year. Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,748. Students borrow a median of $40,750 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Benedict College generally make around $23,838. Set against $40,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #10 for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete the criminal justice program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $45,235. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
North Greenville University earned the #11 position for value in criminal justice this year. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,800. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $24,128 in student loans. Criminal Justice graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $39,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #12 position for value in criminal justice this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice graduates is $25,000. Criminal Justice graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Anderson University Sc came in at #13 for value in criminal justice this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. In-state tuition and fees average $34,970. Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice graduates make about $60,296. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
More Criminal Justice Rankings
View All Criminal Justice Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
