Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Carolina State University

South Carolina State's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning $32,576 in their first year—about $5,000 below the state median and nearly $6,000 under the national average. While serving a predominantly Pell Grant population (68% of students), the program's outcomes lag behind most in-state alternatives, ranking in just the 40th percentile among South Carolina criminal justice programs. Compare this to Anderson University or The Citadel, where graduates earn $13,000-18,000 more annually.

The $31,000 debt load nearly equals first-year earnings, creating an immediate financial squeeze. Though earnings improve to $41,356 by year four—a solid 27% gain—this trajectory doesn't change the fundamental math: graduates are starting with a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio in a field where entry-level positions typically pay modestly. The good news is that debt here sits below the national median for criminal justice programs, suggesting the school exercises some restraint on borrowing.

For families weighing this investment, the challenge is clear: your child will likely graduate earning less than peers from other South Carolina programs while carrying substantial debt. Unless there are specific reasons to attend SCSU—location, family circumstances, or targeted scholarship aid that dramatically reduces borrowing—exploring higher-performing in-state options would strengthen the return on this degree investment. In criminal justice, where starting salaries vary significantly by employer and location, graduating with lighter debt or stronger earning potential matters considerably.