2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for criminal justice & corrections students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the criminal justice & corrections degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Criminal Justice & Corrections Schools
Leading the list is York Technical College, our #1 best value for criminal justice & corrections in South Carolina. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $44,401. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Trident Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #3 place for criminal justice & corrections. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $15,500. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $30,840. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #4 place for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $17,313 in student loans. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $20,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in criminal justice & corrections, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $35,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College earned the #7 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $15,475 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $33,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,475 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College placed #8 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $6,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Northeastern Technical College earn a median of $57,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $11,592. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Piedmont Technical College earned the #10 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $20,650. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $32,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #11 spot for criminal justice & corrections value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $34,447 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #12 spot for criminal justice & corrections value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Allen University came in at #13 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,304. Typical student debt for criminal justice & corrections graduates is $39,771. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $23,346. Set against $39,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Spartanburg Methodist College came in at #14 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,650. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Spartanburg Methodist College generally make around $14,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spartanburg Methodist College admits about 78% of applicants.
Newberry College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Students borrow a median of $27,729 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $43,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Benedict College placed #16 among the best values for criminal justice & corrections. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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%.
South Carolina State University earned the #17 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,060, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $32,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Bob Jones University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $18,298 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $31,372 early in their careers. Set against $18,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morris College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Morris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $16,664. Students borrow a median of $26,946 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Median earnings reach $30,614 ten years out. Set against $26,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #20 for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, criminal justice & corrections degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $45,235. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
Claflin University earned the #21 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Students borrow a median of $37,009 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,345. Set against $37,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Charleston Southern University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the criminal justice & corrections program here. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $33,633. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Limestone College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. Set in the town of Gaffney, Limestone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,800 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Limestone College earn a median of $39,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Columbia College South Carolina earned the #24 position for value in criminal justice & corrections this year. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $20,054 in tuition and fees. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates carry a median of $26,773 in student loans. Criminal Justice & Corrections graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $48,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants.
Strayer University South Carolina ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value criminal justice & corrections schools. 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 & corrections graduates is $56,937. Early-career criminal justice & corrections graduates make about $43,405. Set against $56,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
