Best institutions to study Homeland Security
Compare 262 U.S. colleges offering Homeland Security by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Homeland Security programs report a median of $48,676 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 43.03 and the First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Homeland Security programs
The Homeland Security program focuses on preparing students for careers in protecting the nation from threats such as terrorism and other hazards. This program is ideal for individuals interested in law enforcement, emergency management, and related protective services, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to national security efforts.
Students in the Homeland Security program will develop core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas such as public safety, administration, and law, preparing graduates to handle various security challenges effectively.
Top 34 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $90,956 | 147 | 68% | — | $21,741 |
| 2 | Bethel University McKenzie, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,275 | 13 | 35% | $21,324 | $31,919 |
| 3 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,503 | 202 | 43% | $21,535 | $28,787 |
| 4 | Columbia College Columbia, SC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $67,338 | 9 | 37% | $23,986 | $27,855 |
| 5 | Waldorf University Forest City, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,446 | 138 | 21% | $22,328 | $23,437 |
| 6 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,963 | 108 | 43% | $31,817 | $23,450 |
| 7 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,340 | 817 | 57% | $10,199 | $19,552 |
| 8 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,313 | 354 | 33% | $15,554 | $32,683 |
| 9 | Utica University Utica, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $57,215 | 89 | 56% | $20,237 | $27,846 |
| 10 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,837 | 31 | 61% | $35,483 | $49,981 |
| 11 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA Public · Certificate degree | $54,209 | 302 | 39% | — | $22,869 |
| 12 | Post University Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,772 | 65 | 25% | $14,659 | $23,625 |
| 13 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,200 | 59 | 76% | — | $23,250 |
| 14 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,200 | 20 | 50% | — | $23,250 |
| 15 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton Canton, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,753 | 21 | 38% | — | $24,617 |
| 16 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,676 | 52 | 67% | $38,899 | $20,500 |
| 17 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,676 | 46 | 21% | $21,266 | $20,500 |
| 18 | Husson University Bangor, ME Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree | $46,281 | 5 | 59% | $18,839 | — |
| 19 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,969 | 47 | 61% | — | $17,293 |
| 20 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,090 | 80 | 49% | — | $25,355 |
| 21 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,002 | 35 | 67% | — | — |
| 22 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,802 | 9 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 23 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI Public · Associate degree | $42,663 | 16 | 51% | — | $21,875 |
| 24 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,266 | 6 | 54% | — | $25,125 |
| 25 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,058 | 17 | 47% | — | $21,465 |
| 26 | Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,294 | 27 | 61% | $23,331 | $23,500 |
| 27 | New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,624 | 40 | 34% | — | $14,562 |
| 28 | University at Albany Albany, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,472 | 149 | 61% | — | $23,250 |
| 29 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,307 | 66 | 50% | — | $28,343 |
| 30 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Certificate degree | $38,140 | 17 | 68% | — | $20,843 |
| 31 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Certificate degree | $38,140 | 118 | 0% | — | $20,843 |
| 32 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,103 | 2 | 68% | — | $20,312 |
| 33 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,685 | 25 | 66% | — | $26,000 |
| 34 | Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,387 | 9 | 67% | $22,729 | $27,000 |
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1091, First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Homeland Security program can pursue careers in various fields related to public safety and security. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 2.7% and approximately 7,000 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $58,610, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Homeland Security
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 43.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 43.03 (Homeland Security) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9161 | Emergency Management Directors |
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 25-1111 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 33-1012 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
| 33-1091 | First-Line Supervisors of Security Workersprimary |
| 33-1099 | First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other |
| 55-1017 | Special Forces Officers |
| 55-3018 | Special Forces |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Homeland Security programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.
- Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.
- Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.
- Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.
- Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.
- Monitor the behavior of security employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, or procedures.
Concentrations within Homeland Security
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Homeland SecurityCIP 43.0301
A program focusing on security policy, planning and operations dedicated to the protection of U.S
- Crisis/Emergency/Disaster ManagementCIP 43.0302
A program focusing on the application of the incident command system model to formulating and implementing effective response to natural and man-made disasters
- Critical Infrastructure ProtectionCIP 43.0303
A program focusing on the design, planning and management of systems and procedures for protecting critical national physical and cyber infrastructure from external threats, including terrorism
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism OperationsCIP 43.0304
A program focusing on the study of terrorism as a global and national threat and the methods for analyzing and countering it
- Homeland Security, OtherCIP 43.0399
Any instructional program in homeland security not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Homeland Security program?+
The program focuses on preparing students to protect the nation from terrorism and other hazards.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.7% and around 7,000 annual openings.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Homeland Security graduates earn?+
Homeland Security graduates report median earnings of $48,676 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers occupation pays about $59,900 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Homeland Security?+
Homeland Security maps to CIP 43.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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