Security Science and Technology programs
CIP 4304 · Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
78 institutions report graduate earnings for Security Science and Technology programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $63,962 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41× and 91% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 4 of the 94 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 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFL · Master's | $145,240 n=16 | 96% 1yr | – | – | Above +162% | – |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottAZ · Master's | $145,240 n=16 | 96% 1yr | – | – | Above +137% | – |
| 3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFL · Master's | $145,240 n=16 | 96% 1yr | – | – | Above +162% | – |
| 4 | Excelsior UniversityNY · Master's | $144,427 n=19 | – | – | – | Above +103% | – |
| 5 | University of San DiegoCA · Master's | $137,533 n=49 | 92% 1yr | $48,077 | 0.35× | Above +83% | – |
| 6 | Champlain CollegeVT · Master's | $134,853 n=41 | 97% 1yr | $35,971 | 0.27× | Above +151% | – |
| 7 | Sacred Heart UniversityCT · Master's | $113,199 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +51% | – |
| 8 | Utica UniversityNY · Master's | $108,561 n=96 | 95% 5yr | $37,746 | 0.35× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Master's | $106,787 n=102 | 96% 5yr | $39,520 | 0.37× | Above +41% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | Capella UniversityMN · Master's | $105,757 n=29 | 94% 1yr | $50,541 | 0.48× | Above +55% | – |
| 11 | Champlain CollegeVT · Bachelor's | $101,401 n=116 | 91% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.27× | Above +159% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFL · Bachelor's | $98,996 n=31 | 78% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.20× | Above +193% | – |
| 13 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottAZ · Bachelor's | $98,996 n=31 | 78% 1yr | $19,500 | 0.20× | Above +169% | – |
| 14 | West Virginia UniversityWV · Master's | $98,517 n=37 | 94% 1yr | $29,500 | 0.30× | Above +89% | – |
| 15 | Carlow UniversityPA · Master's | $95,368 n=36 | 100% 1yr | $34,166 | 0.36× | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Master's | $93,984 n=27 | 94% 1yr | – | – | Above +32% | – |
| 17 | Champlain CollegeVT · UG cert | $93,975 n=28 | – | $26,625 | 0.28× | Above +140% | – |
| 18 | Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $93,841 n=49 | 78% 1yr | $18,750 | 0.20× | Above +178% | – |
| 19 | La Salle UniversityPA · Master's | $93,485 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +46% | – |
| 20 | California State University-Los AngelesCA · Master's | $92,683 n=24 | 88% 1yr | $17,079 | 0.18× | Above +23% | – |
| 21 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $92,064 n=61 | 96% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.45× | Above +30% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | George Washington UniversityDC · Master's | $91,985 n=41 | 97% 5yr | $61,500 | 0.67× | Above +6% | Below 1/2 |
| 23 | Robert Morris UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $90,206 n=64 | 100% 5yr | $26,948 | 0.30× | Above +139% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Stevenson UniversityMD · Master's | $86,344 n=55 | 90% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.47× | Above +14% | Below 1/2 |
| 25 | University of BaltimoreMD · Master's | $85,028 n=49 | 94% 5yr | $41,175 | 0.48× | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 26 | University of California-DavisCA · Master's | $84,479 n=22 | 100% 5yr | – | – | Above +12% | Below 1/2 |
| 27 | Utica UniversityNY · UG cert | $82,049 n=40 | 87% 1yr | $9,500 | 0.12× | Above +116% | – |
| 28 | Boston UniversityMA · Master's | $77,554 n=38 | 96% 5yr | $105,433 | 1.36× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 29 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Master's | $76,631 n=20 | 100% 5yr | $66,119 | 0.86× | Above +8% | Below 1/2 |
| 30 | Pfeiffer UniversityNC · Master's | $76,181 n=21 | – | $26,355 | 0.35× | Above +30% | – |
| 31 | Towson UniversityMD · Master's | $74,405 n=23 | 100% 5yr | $31,158 | 0.42× | Below -2% | Below 2/2 |
| 32 | Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $73,289 n=72 | 94% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.34× | Above +94% | – |
| 33 | Hofstra UniversityNY · Master's | $73,028 n=19 | 62% 1yr | $41,000 | 0.56× | Above +3% | Below 1/2 |
| 34 | Pace UniversityNY · Master's | $72,614 n=16 | 83% 1yr | $52,769 | 0.73× | Above +2% | – |
| 35 | Towson UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $71,484 n=20 | 90% 5yr | $17,288 | 0.24× | Above +70% | Clears 2/2 |
| 36 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $69,491 n=51 | 59% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.39× | Above +83% | – |
| 37 | State University of New York at PlattsburghNY · Bachelor's | $69,321 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +82% | – |
| 38 | University of New HavenCT · Master's | $68,812 n=47 | 93% 5yr | $40,773 | 0.59× | Below -8% | Below 2/2 |
| 39 | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic MedicinePA · Master's | $68,789 n=53 | 100% 5yr | $56,055 | 0.81× | Above +7% | – |
| 40 | Rose State CollegeOK · Associate | $67,780 n=27 | 90% 1yr | $8,750 | 0.13× | Above +91% | – |
| 41 | Arcadia UniversityPA · Master's | $67,378 n=19 | 96% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.61× | Above +5% | Below 1/2 |
| 42 | Duquesne UniversityPA · Master's | $66,985 n=24 | 88% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.31× | Above +4% | Below 1/2 |
| 43 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Master's | $66,695 n=20 | 96% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.61× | Below -6% | Below 2/2 |
| 44 | Marshall UniversityWV · Master's | $66,450 n=22 | 94% 5yr | $43,780 | 0.66× | Above +28% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | National UniversityCA · Master's | $66,173 n=68 | 81% 5yr | $34,433 | 0.52× | Below -12% | Below 2/2 |
| 46 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $66,084 n=37 | 92% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.41× | Above +75% | – |
| 47 | Loyola University ChicagoIL · Bachelor's | $64,194 n=16 | 90% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.42× | Above +70% | – |
| 48 | College of Southern NevadaNV · Associate | $63,730 n=29 | – | – | – | Above +69% | – |
| 49 | University of New HavenCT · Bachelor's | $63,360 n=147 | 93% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.43× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 50 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $63,182 n=39 | 67% 1yr | $23,251 | 0.37× | Above +66% | – |
| 51 | University of North DakotaND · Bachelor's | $62,726 n=18 | – | $25,879 | 0.41× | Above +53% | – |
| 52 | Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Master's | $62,465 n=21 | 86% 1yr | – | – | Above +7% | – |
| 53 | West Virginia UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $62,455 n=46 | 85% 5yr | $24,121 | 0.39× | Above +78% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyWV · Bachelor's | $62,455 n=46 | 85% 5yr | $24,121 | 0.39× | Above +78% | Clears 2/2 |
| 55 | University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Bachelor's | $62,022 n=64 | 91% 5yr | $25,391 | 0.41× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | University of Central FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $61,633 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +82% | – |
| 57 | Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $61,026 n=60 | 87% | $24,583 | 0.40× | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 58 | Chestnut Hill CollegePA · Bachelor's | $60,744 n=18 | – | $24,342 | 0.40× | Above +61% | – |
| 59 | Farmingdale State CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $60,464 n=234 | 55% | $15,000 | 0.25× | Above +59% | Clears 2/2 |
| 60 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNY · Bachelor's | $60,416 n=41 | 92% 5yr | $15,500 | 0.26× | Above +59% | Clears 2/2 |
| 61 | University of Nebraska-LincolnNE · Bachelor's | $58,037 n=21 | – | $25,125 | 0.43× | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 62 | Tiffin UniversityOH · Bachelor's | $57,509 n=28 | 76% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +56% | – |
| 63 | Grand Canyon UniversityAZ · Bachelor's | $57,384 n=45 | 100% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 64 | American Public University SystemWV · Bachelor's | $57,237 n=75 | 84% 5yr | $32,062 | 0.56× | Above +63% | Clears 2/2 |
| 65 | Seattle UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $56,265 n=29 | – | $22,250 | 0.40× | Above +32% | – |
| 66 | Bay Path UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $56,262 n=36 | 93% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.48× | Above +29% | Below 1/2 |
| 67 | Indiana University-IndianapolisIN · Bachelor's | $55,988 n=30 | 100% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.48× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | Mercyhurst UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $55,665 n=20 | 81% 5yr | $26,962 | 0.48× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | University of Central OklahomaOK · Bachelor's | $54,876 n=79 | 85% 5yr | $21,000 | 0.38× | Above +55% | Clears 2/2 |
| 70 | Hilbert CollegeNY · Bachelor's | $54,589 n=68 | 91% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.49× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | Western Carolina UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $54,246 n=22 | – | $21,500 | 0.40× | Above +58% | Clears 2/2 |
| 72 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $53,792 n=17 | 95% 5yr | – | – | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $52,096 n=66 | 47% | $19,099 | 0.37× | Above +54% | Clears 2/2 |
| 74 | Saint Edward's UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $51,977 n=19 | – | $27,000 | 0.52× | Above +45% | – |
| 75 | University of Southern MississippiMS · Bachelor's | $51,956 n=38 | 96% 5yr | $28,000 | 0.54× | Above +58% | Clears 2/2 |
| 76 | Husson UniversityME · Bachelor's | $51,772 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +42% | – |
| 77 | Palm Beach State CollegeFL · Associate | $51,215 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +52% | Below 1/2 |
| 78 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleWI · Bachelor's | $50,368 n=49 | 86% 5yr | $21,005 | 0.42× | Above +29% | Clears 2/2 |
| 79 | Jacksonville State UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $50,281 n=18 | 44% 1yr | $23,250 | 0.46× | Above +46% | – |
| 80 | Bellevue UniversityNE · Bachelor's | $49,052 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +32% | – |
| 81 | Glenville State UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $48,388 n=44 | 77% 5yr | $29,750 | 0.61× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 82 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFL · Bachelor's | $47,847 n=133 | 37% | $34,630 | 0.72× | Above +42% | Clears 2/2 |
| 83 | Miami Dade CollegeFL · UG cert | $47,662 n=28 | – | – | – | Above +41% | – |
| 84 | Washburn UniversityKS · Bachelor's | $44,534 n=20 | 72% 1yr | $21,250 | 0.48× | Above +22% | – |
| 85 | The University of Texas at El PasoTX · Bachelor's | $42,459 n=21 | – | $24,060 | 0.57× | Above +19% | – |
| 86 | Miami Dade CollegeFL · Associate | $41,327 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +22% | – |
| 87 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFL · Associate | $40,374 n=80 | 84% | $21,176 | 0.52× | Above +20% | Clears 2/2 |
| 88 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusPR · Master's | $35,659 n=44 | 64% | $33,888 | 0.95× | Above +28% | Clears 2/2 |
| 89 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-PoncePR · Bachelor's | $31,181 n=58 | 35% | $5,550 | 0.18× | Above +90% | Clears 2/2 |
| 90 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-BayamonPR · Bachelor's | $31,130 n=81 | 37% 5yr | $5,500 | 0.18× | Above +89% | Clears 2/2 |
| 91 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-AguadillaPR · Bachelor's | $29,441 n=28 | – | $7,750 | 0.26× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 92 | Caribbean Forensic and Technical CollegePR · UG cert | $21,460 n=17 | 35% 5yr | – | – | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 93 | ICPR Junior CollegePR · Associate | $20,241 n=28 | – | – | – | Above +23% | – |
| 94 | ICPR Junior College-AreciboPR · Associate | $20,241 n=28 | – | – | – | Above +23% | – |
% > 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $101,401 | 3 |
| Arizona | $98,996 | 3 |
| California | $88,581 | 4 |
| Maryland | $79,717 | 6 |
| New York | $72,821 | 12 |
| Connecticut | $68,812 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,084 | 10 |
| Virginia | $64,939 | 4 |
| West Virginia | $62,455 | 6 |
| Florida | $52,096 | 11 |
| Texas | $51,977 | 3 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,441 | 7 |
States with at least 3 reporting Security Science and Technology programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Security Science and Technology programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Security Science and Technology programs in this dataset are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($145,240), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott ($145,240), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide ($145,240). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Security Science and Technology programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 4 of the 94 Security Science and Technology 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.