Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in South Carolina 2025
Trident Technical College
65 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Anderson University
5 cybersecurity graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
Coastal Carolina University
5 cybersecurity graduates annually, 86% graduation rate
- 1.South Carolina offers 10+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.Trident Technical College leads with strong% graduation rate
- 3.South Carolina software developers earn median $95,670 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- 5.Cost of living index: 95.4% of US average (below average)
Cybersecurity Education in South Carolina: Overview
South Carolina offers 10 accredited cybersecurity programs, producing approximately 127 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, with major employers including Blackbaud, BenefitFocus, Bosch.
With a median software developer salary of $95,670 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 95.4% compared to the US average, South Carolina offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top cybersecurity programs in the state are led by Trident Technical College, Anderson University, Coastal Carolina University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
South Carolina Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trident Technical College | Charleston, SC | Public | $5,024 | — | 67 |
| 2 | Anderson University | Anderson, SC | Private | $32,710 | 80% | 50.3 |
| 3 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | Public | $11,460 | 86% | 46.4 |
| 4 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | Public | $5,208 | — | 46.1 |
| 5 | Strayer University-South Carolina | Greenville, SC | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 46.1 |
| 6 | North Greenville University | Tigerville, SC | Private | $24,500 | — | 41.6 |
| 7 | Morris College | Sumter, SC | Private | $14,624 | — | 39.1 |
| 8 | Limestone University | Gaffney, SC | Private | $26,400 | — | 38.6 |
| 9 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | Public | $8,356 | — | 38.2 |
| 10 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | Public | $11,208 | — | 36.6 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side
| School | Trident Technical College | Anderson | Coastal Carolina | Horry-Georgetown... | Strayer University-South... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $5,024 | $32,710 | $11,460 | $5,208 | $13,725 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | 80% | 86% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 65 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 53% | 80% | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Public | For-Profit |
| Score | 67.0/100 | 50.3/100 | 46.4/100 | 46.1/100 | 46.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in South Carolina
South Carolina offers 6 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Anderson University, North Greenville University, Morris College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $66,969 in the South Carolina market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Anderson | $32,710 | 80% | 5 | 50.3 |
| #2 North Greenville | $24,500 | N/A% | 6 | 41.6 |
| #3 Morris College | $14,624 | N/A% | 1 | 39.1 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina
For graduate study, South Carolina offers 1 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include Coastal Carolina University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in South Carolina reaching $124,371 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in South Carolina
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Coastal Carolina | $11,460 | 86% | 5 | 46.4 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in South Carolina
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in South Carolina are at Trident Technical College ($5,024/year), Horry-Georgetown Technical College ($5,208/year), Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($8,356/year). These programs offer strong ROI given South Carolina's competitive tech salaries.
At Trident Technical College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $20,096 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $66,969, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in South Carolina (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Trident Technical College | $5,024 | $20,096 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #2 Horry-Georgetown... | $5,208 | $20,832 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 Citadel Military College... | $8,356 | $33,424 | 1 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in South Carolina
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity programs in South Carolina, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,024 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 65 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 67.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 65 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 67.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (65 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Anderson University
Anderson, SC • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $32,710 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 50.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 5 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 50.3 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,460 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 80%
- • Ranking Score: 46.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 5 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 46.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (80% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,208 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 9 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 46.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Strayer University-South Carolina
Greenville, SC • For-Profit
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $13,725 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 9 cybersecurity graduates annually
- For-Profit institution
- Overall score: 46.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
CISO
SOC 15-1212CISO opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (95.4% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Blackbaud or BenefitFocus
- You prefer South Carolina's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Carolina's 10)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in South Carolina FAQ
Based on 10 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
South Carolina-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - South Carolina salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.