Homeland Security programs
CIP 4303 · Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
59 institutions report graduate earnings for Homeland Security programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $74,278 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36× and 90% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 72 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $154,158 n=22 | 91% 5yr | $47,900 | 0.31× | Above +117% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $143,972 n=32 | 100% 1yr | $21,479 | 0.15× | Above +279% | – |
| 3 | George Washington UniversityDC · Master's | $134,847 n=66 | 97% 1yr | $39,152 | 0.29× | Above +56% | – |
| 4 | Utica UniversityNY · Master's | $118,906 n=196 | 95% 5yr | $36,359 | 0.31× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | University of South FloridaFL · Master's | $114,398 n=175 | 93% 1yr | $20,907 | 0.18× | Above +106% | – |
| 6 | Georgetown UniversityDC · Master's | $108,885 n=36 | 92% 5yr | $62,182 | 0.57× | Above +26% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | National American University-Rapid CitySD · Master's | $107,332 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +96% | – |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Master's | $106,535 n=64 | 92% 1yr | $32,931 | 0.31× | Above +66% | – |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgPA · Master's | $106,535 n=64 | 92% 1yr | $32,931 | 0.31× | Above +66% | – |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Master's | $106,535 n=64 | 92% 1yr | $32,931 | 0.31× | Above +66% | – |
| 11 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Master's | $102,281 n=95 | 91% 1yr | $36,900 | 0.36× | Above +51% | – |
| 12 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Grad cert | $101,548 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +55% | – |
| 13 | American UniversityDC · Master's | $96,954 n=48 | 88% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.42× | Above +12% | – |
| 14 | American Public University SystemWV · Master's | $96,527 n=210 | 76% | $38,384 | 0.40× | Above +86% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Florida International UniversityFL · Master's | $96,373 n=43 | 92% 1yr | $30,750 | 0.32× | Above +74% | – |
| 16 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Master's | $93,851 n=102 | 84% 5yr | $37,075 | 0.40× | Above +64% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's | $93,521 n=273 | 98% 5yr | $37,336 | 0.40× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 18 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's | $93,521 n=273 | 98% 5yr | $37,336 | 0.40× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | Northeastern UniversityMA · Master's | $90,323 n=55 | 93% 1yr | $35,875 | 0.40× | Above +19% | – |
| 20 | Northeastern University Professional ProgramsMA · Master's | $90,323 n=55 | 93% 1yr | $35,875 | 0.40× | Above +19% | – |
| 21 | New Jersey City UniversityNJ · Master's | $88,249 n=20 | – | – | – | Above +15% | – |
| 22 | Wilmington UniversityDE · Master's | $88,090 n=25 | 82% 1yr | $31,804 | 0.36× | Above +36% | – |
| 23 | Walden UniversityMN · Master's | $86,888 n=16 | 86% 5yr | $44,971 | 0.52× | Above +27% | Below 1/2 |
| 24 | Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $84,553 n=183 | 91% 5yr | $25,616 | 0.30× | Above +130% | Clears 2/2 |
| 25 | Sam Houston State UniversityTX · Master's | $82,876 n=43 | 87% 1yr | $26,168 | 0.32× | Above +26% | – |
| 26 | Utica UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $82,733 n=124 | 90% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.30× | Above +118% | Clears 2/2 |
| 27 | Northwestern State University of LouisianaLA · Master's | $81,715 n=19 | – | – | – | Above +42% | – |
| 28 | National UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $80,134 n=45 | 87% 5yr | $23,437 | 0.29× | Above +108% | Clears 2/2 |
| 29 | Bethel UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $79,079 n=25 | 95% 5yr | $28,709 | 0.36× | Above +126% | Clears 2/2 |
| 30 | American Public University SystemWV · Bachelor's | $77,122 n=319 | 80% | $24,942 | 0.32× | Above +119% | Clears 2/2 |
| 31 | Capella UniversityMN · Master's | $76,702 n=43 | 90% 5yr | $39,929 | 0.52× | Above +12% | Clears 2/2 |
| 32 | Waldorf UniversityIA · Bachelor's | $76,520 n=55 | 91% 1yr | $22,000 | 0.29× | Above +99% | – |
| 33 | Capella UniversityMN · Bachelor's | $76,446 n=20 | 91% 5yr | $38,808 | 0.51× | Above +91% | Clears 2/2 |
| 34 | National UniversityCA · Master's | $75,701 n=40 | 95% 5yr | $31,685 | 0.42× | Above +1% | – |
| 35 | Arkansas State UniversityAR · Master's | $75,019 n=18 | – | $28,523 | 0.38× | Above +38% | – |
| 36 | Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Grad cert | $74,286 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +28% | – |
| 37 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeIA · UG cert | $74,269 n=79 | 93% 1yr | – | – | Above +93% | – |
| 38 | Columbia Southern UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $73,703 n=36 | 84% 1yr | $21,628 | 0.29× | Above +114% | – |
| 39 | Columbia CollegeSC · Bachelor's | $71,888 n=67 | 96% 1yr | $25,122 | 0.35× | Above +109% | – |
| 40 | Millersville University of PennsylvaniaPA · Master's | $71,649 n=25 | 97% 5yr | $31,500 | 0.44× | Above +12% | Clears 2/2 |
| 41 | University of New Hampshire at ManchesterNH · Bachelor's | $71,129 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +60% | – |
| 42 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's | $71,129 n=21 | – | – | – | Above +60% | – |
| 43 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFL · Bachelor's | $71,014 n=74 | 88% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.29× | Above +110% | Clears 2/2 |
| 44 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFL · Bachelor's | $71,014 n=74 | 88% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.29× | Above +110% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | University at AlbanyNY · Bachelor's | $69,365 n=142 | 64% 1yr | $20,000 | 0.29× | Above +82% | – |
| 46 | University of Phoenix-ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $68,161 n=25 | 100% | $35,313 | 0.52× | Above +85% | Clears 2/2 |
| 47 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFL · Bachelor's | $67,744 n=22 | 75% 1yr | $45,104 | 0.67× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 48 | Eastern Kentucky UniversityKY · Bachelor's | $67,096 n=36 | 90% 5yr | $26,979 | 0.40× | Above +93% | Clears 2/2 |
| 49 | Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsCO · Master's | $66,872 n=58 | 68% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.61× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 50 | Post UniversityCT · Bachelor's | $66,145 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +57% | – |
| 51 | Lake Superior State UniversityMI · Associate | $65,738 n=20 | 88% 5yr | $21,875 | 0.33× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 52 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · UG cert | $64,064 n=100 | 68% 1yr | $21,500 | 0.34× | Above +74% | – |
| 53 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · UG cert | $64,064 n=100 | 68% 1yr | $21,500 | 0.34× | Above +74% | – |
| 54 | University of Nebraska at OmahaNE · Bachelor's | $64,061 n=35 | 76% 1yr | $20,060 | 0.31× | Above +72% | – |
| 55 | Oakland UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $63,858 n=30 | 100% 5yr | $15,648 | 0.24× | Above +82% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | SUNY College of Technology at CantonNY · Bachelor's | $63,759 n=30 | 81% 5yr | $23,205 | 0.36× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's | $63,622 n=47 | 92% 5yr | $17,023 | 0.27× | Above +78% | Clears 2/2 |
| 58 | American Public University SystemWV · Associate | $63,213 n=30 | – | $18,850 | 0.30× | Above +80% | Clears 2/2 |
| 59 | New Jersey City UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $63,137 n=108 | 57% | $13,875 | 0.22× | Above +58% | Clears 2/2 |
| 60 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $62,846 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +57% | – |
| 61 | Campbell UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $62,695 n=47 | 96% 5yr | $23,956 | 0.38× | Above +83% | Clears 2/2 |
| 62 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusND · Bachelor's | $62,649 n=19 | 84% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.43× | Above +53% | – |
| 63 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $60,458 n=19 | 61% 1yr | $23,000 | 0.38× | Above +60% | – |
| 64 | University of Central MissouriMO · UG cert | $58,584 n=21 | – | $18,995 | 0.32× | Above +64% | – |
| 65 | Arkansas State UniversityAR · Bachelor's | $58,242 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +71% | – |
| 66 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFL · Associate | $57,706 n=23 | – | $30,250 | 0.52× | Above +71% | – |
| 67 | University of Central MissouriMO · Bachelor's | $54,595 n=17 | 72% 5yr | $19,240 | 0.35× | Above +53% | – |
| 68 | Ohio Christian UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $53,626 n=17 | – | $26,112 | 0.49× | Above +46% | Below 1/2 |
| 69 | Arkansas Tech UniversityAR · Bachelor's | $53,142 n=46 | 85% 5yr | $22,372 | 0.42× | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 70 | University of ArizonaAZ · Bachelor's | $52,677 n=188 | 86% 5yr | $20,101 | 0.38× | Above +43% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | Husson UniversityME · UG cert | $51,559 n=25 | 75% 1yr | $28,000 | 0.54× | Above +41% | – |
| 72 | Park UniversityMO · UG cert | $49,144 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +37% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $108,885 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | $106,535 | 5 |
| Texas | $82,876 | 3 |
| West Virginia | $77,122 | 3 |
| Minnesota | $76,702 | 3 |
| New York | $76,049 | 4 |
| New Hampshire | $71,129 | 3 |
| Florida | $71,014 | 6 |
| Arizona | $68,161 | 7 |
| New Jersey | $63,137 | 3 |
| Arkansas | $58,242 | 3 |
| Missouri | $54,595 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Homeland Security programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Homeland Security programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Homeland Security programs in this dataset are George Mason University ($154,158), George Mason University ($143,972), George Washington University ($134,847). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Homeland Security programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 72 Homeland Security programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.