2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in South Carolina
[Criminal Justice & Corrections](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
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2027 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in criminal justice & corrections, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in South Carolina. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $30,840. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $20,266. That is a strong return on a $17,313 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aiken Technical College earned it the #5 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Aiken Technical College earn a median of $51,894 early in their careers. Set against $17,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned the #6 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,583 median debt.
Florence Darlington Technical College came in at #7 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster landed the #8 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, with out-of-state students paying around $18,238. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,592. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $44,067. Set against $11,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Northeastern Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Cheraw. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $57,772. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #10 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Students borrow a median of $20,650 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,721. Set against $20,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Students borrow a median of $15,475 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $33,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #12 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $34,447. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Spartanburg Methodist College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,650. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Spartanburg Methodist College earn a median of $14,509 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Voorhees College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the rural area of Denmark, Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Median earnings reach $35,339 ten years out.
Tri County Technical College earned the #16 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $35,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Claflin University came in at #17 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. 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. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $37,009 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Claflin University earn a median of $33,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Claflin University admits about 65% of applicants.
Strayer University South Carolina came in at #18 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Strayer University South Carolina is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $56,937. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Strayer University South Carolina earn a median of $43,405 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia College South Carolina earned the #19 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,773 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Columbia College South Carolina generally make around $48,839. That is a strong return on a $26,773 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Carolina State University earned the #20 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. Students from in state pay about $11,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $31,000. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $32,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Benedict College landed the #21 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $17,748. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $40,750 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Benedict College earn a median of $23,838 early in their careers. Set against $40,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #22 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $45,235. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
North Greenville University came in at #23 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,800. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $24,128. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $39,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Newberry College earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,100 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $43,702. Set against $27,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University placed #25 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,633. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in criminal justice & corrections:
More Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings
View All Criminal Justice & Corrections Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
