Homeland Security: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Homeland Security graduates earn a median $70,193 four years after finishing — $21,833/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,902/yr net price ($67,608 over four years), that pays back in about 3.1 years. Federal data pools 102 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 2,671 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Homeland Security ranks #65 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 68% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University | VA | $143,972 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University | AZ | $84,553 |
| 3 | Utica University | NY | $82,733 |
| 4 | National University | CA | $80,134 |
| 5 | Bethel University | TN | $79,079 |
| 6 | American Public University System | WV | $77,122 |
| 7 | Waldorf University | IA | $76,520 |
| 8 | Capella University | MN | $76,446 |
| 9 | Columbia Southern University | AL | $73,703 |
| 10 | Columbia College | SC | $71,888 |
| 11 | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | NH | $71,129 |
| 12 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | FL | $71,014 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.
How fast does Homeland Security pay grow after graduation?
From $48,676 one year out to $70,193 four years out — a $21,517 climb, or 44% over three years. Both are federal medians of the same graduating cohorts, so the gap reflects real wage progression rather than a change in who is measured.
How many students graduate in Homeland Security each year?
About 2,671 bachelor's graduates a year across 102 programs in the federal file. Cohort size matters when reading the median: a field this size averages across a wide range of employers, regions and job titles.