South Carolina university campus representing information security education
Updated December 2025

Best Information Security Programs in South Carolina: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 9 top accredited information security programs in South Carolina. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville.

Programs Ranked9
Median Salary$95,670
Cost of Living95.4%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Information Security Programs in South Carolina 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SCPublic

65 information security graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$5K
Tuition/yr
67.0
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Anderson University

Anderson, SCPrivate

5 information security graduates annually, 80% graduation rate

$33K
Tuition/yr
80%
Grad Rate
50.3
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SCPublic

5 information security graduates annually, 86% graduation rate

$11K
Tuition/yr
86%
Grad Rate
46.4
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.South Carolina offers 9+ accredited information security 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)

Information Security Education in South Carolina: Overview

South Carolina offers 9 accredited information security programs, producing approximately 118 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 information security 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 Information Security Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Trident Technical CollegeCharleston, SCPublic$5,024โ€”67
2Anderson UniversityAnderson, SCPrivate$32,71080%50.3
3Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SCPublic$11,46086%46.4
4Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeConway, SCPublic$5,208โ€”46.1
5North Greenville UniversityTigerville, SCPrivate$24,500โ€”41.6
6Morris CollegeSumter, SCPrivate$14,624โ€”39.1
7Limestone UniversityGaffney, SCPrivate$26,400โ€”38.6
8Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SCPublic$8,356โ€”38.2
9University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SCPublic$11,208โ€”36.6

Top 5 Information Security Programs in South Carolina: Side-by-Side

SchoolTrident Technical CollegeAndersonCoastal CarolinaHorry-Georgetown...North Greenville
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$5,024
$32,710
$11,460
$5,208
$24,500
Graduation Rate
N/A%
80%
86%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
65
5
5
9
6
Acceptance Rate
N/A
53%
80%
N/A
63%
Type
Public
Private
Public
Public
Private
Score
67.0/100
50.3/100
46.4/100
46.1/100
41.6/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Information Security in South Carolina

South Carolina offers 6 bachelor's-level information security 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 information security typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Information Security Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Information Security Bachelor's Programs in South Carolina

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#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 Information Security Schools for Master's Degrees in South Carolina

For graduate study, South Carolina offers 1 master's-level information security 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 information security master's programs for more options beyond South Carolina.

Top 3 Information Security Master's Programs in South Carolina

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Coastal Carolina
$11,460
86%
5
46.4

Most Affordable Information Security Colleges in South Carolina

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable information security 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 Information Security Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Information Security Programs in South Carolina (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#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 Information Security Schools in South Carolina

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 information security 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.

#1

Trident Technical College

Charleston, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $5,024 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Information Security Graduates: 65 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 67.0 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 65 information security 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.

#2

Anderson University

Anderson, SC โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $32,710 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Information Security Graduates: 5 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 50.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 80% graduation rate
  • 5 information security 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.

#3

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $11,460 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Information Security Graduates: 5 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 46.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 86% graduation rate
  • 5 information security 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.

#4

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Conway, SC โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $5,208 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Information Security Graduates: 9 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 46.1 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 9 information security 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.

#5

North Greenville University

Tigerville, SC โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $24,500 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Information Security Graduates: 6 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 41.6 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 6 information security graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 41.6 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (6 graduates), state salary outcomes ($95,670), and selectivity (63% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$66,969
Starting Salary
$95,670
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
142
Annual Openings

Career Paths

+17%

Software Developer opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$90,982

Systems Analyst

SOC 15-1211
+10%

Systems Analyst opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$91,321

IT Manager

SOC 15-1299
+15%

IT Manager opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$87,120
+15%

Technical Consultant opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$88,416

Database Administrator opportunities in South Carolina with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$89,651

Information Security Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose South Carolina if...
  • 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
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs South Carolina's 9)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Information Security in South Carolina FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 9 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Information Security degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

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

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

Taylor Rupe

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.