Illinois · Security Science and Technology

Best colleges for Security Science and Technology in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

Loyola University Chicago, William Rainey Harper College and Eastern Illinois University award the most Security Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Illinois: 43, 27 and 22 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Illinois colleges offer Security Science and Technology and award 176 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Security Science and Technology program focuses on the intersection of science, technology, and society as it pertains to homeland security, law enforcement, and related protective services. This interdisciplinary field prepares…

Institutions
11
offering CIP 43.04
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
176
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$51,202
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,632
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Forensic Science Technicians
$108,760
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$51,2024373%$33,454—

Colleges awarding the most Security Science and Technology degrees in Illinois

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit
43$51,202
2William Rainey Harper College
Palatine Public
27Not reported
3Eastern Illinois University
Charleston Public
22Not reported
4Lewis University
Romeoville Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
5Lake Land College
Mattoon Public
10Not reported
6Oakton College
Des Plaines Public
8Not reported
7Illinois State University
Normal Public
4Not reported
8Quincy University
Quincy Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
9Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville Public
2Not reported
10Kishwaukee College
Malta Public
1Not reported
Show the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Security Science and Technology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
College of DuPageGlen EllynPublic38

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+12.8%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$67,440
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingWritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningActive Learning

What Forensic Science Technicians earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
370
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$108,760
median $124,790
Best-paying metro
$105,710
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Accountants and Auditors
$88,910 avg · 54,930 jobs
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$92,450 avg · 29,180 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$104,530 avg · 11,160 jobs
Information Security Analysts
$127,000 avg · 5,260 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$126,760 avg · 4,900 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Security Science and Technology programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Security Science and Technology degrees?+

Loyola University Chicago (43 graduates a year), William Rainey Harper College (27 graduates a year) and Eastern Illinois University (22 graduates a year) award the most Security Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Illinois colleges offer Security Science and Technology.

Which Security Science and Technology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Loyola University Chicago tops the list at $51,202. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Forensic Science Technicians earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Illinois is $108,760 (median $124,790), across about 370 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Security Science and Technology program?+

The Security Science and Technology program focuses on the intersection of science, technology, and society as it pertains to homeland security, law enforcement, and related protective services. This interdisciplinary field prepares…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, writing, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Forensic Science Technicians?+

The national job outlook is about +12.8% growth with around 2,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Security Science and Technology in other statesRhode IslandVermontOklahomaFloridaArizonaPennsylvaniaMinnesotaMaryland

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card