Best institutions to study Critical Infrastructure Protection
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.
25 U.S. institutions graduated 568 Critical Infrastructure Protection students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0303, a specialization of Homeland Security (CIP 43.03), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation (BLS SOC 33-1012).
About Critical Infrastructure Protection programs
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. Includes instruction in homeland security policy, critical infrastructure policy, information security, matrix vulnerability assessment, threat assessment, physical security, personnel security, operational security, contingency planning, case analyses of specific industries and systems, redundancy planning, emergency and disaster planning, security systems, and intelligence operations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Critical Infrastructure Protection program, part of the Homeland Security field, focuses on safeguarding national physical and cyber infrastructure from external threats, including terrorism. This program is designed for individuals interested in the strategic planning, design, and management of systems that ensure public safety and security.
Students will gain knowledge in homeland security policy, information security, threat assessment, and emergency planning. Core skills developed include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, equipping graduates to handle complex security challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree297 graduates / yr · 9 institutions52%
- Master's degree104 graduates / yr · 6 institutions18%
- Associate's degree75 graduates / yr · 6 institutions13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year56 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate23 graduates / yr · 9 institutions4.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
Graduates over time
Critical Infrastructure Protection completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 178 |
| 2013 | 216 |
| 2014 | 240 |
| 2015 | 271 |
| 2016 | 397 |
| 2017 | 517 |
| 2018 | 658 |
| 2019 | 843 |
| 2020 | 1,005 |
| 2021 | 977 |
| 2022 | 625 |
| 2023 | 586 |
| 2024 | 544 |
| 2025 | 568 |
Top 25 institutions for Critical Infrastructure Protection, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 145 | 68% | — | $90,956 |
| 2 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 89 | 56% | $20,237 | $57,215 |
| 3 | Waldorf University Forest City, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 47 | 21% | $22,328 | $66,446 |
| 4 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology Delray Beach, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 45 | 76% | $19,718 | — |
| 5 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsPost-degree cert. | 40 | 39% | — | — |
| 6 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 7 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 30 | 33% | $15,554 | $62,313 |
| 8 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 35% | $18,316 | — |
| 9 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAssociate's | 19 | 19% | — | — |
| 10 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 55% | $31,634 | — |
| 11 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NHPublicMaster's | 14 | 50% | — | $51,200 |
| 12 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 41% | — | — |
| 13 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster's | 11 | 77% | — | — |
| 14 | Turtle Mountain College Belcourt, NDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 11 | 43% | $3,883 | — |
| 15 | Capitol Technology University Laurel, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 6 | 43% | $27,179 | — |
| 16 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 55% | — | — |
| 17 | Walsh College Troy, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 84% | — | — |
| 19 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 20 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 24% | — | — |
| 21 | DeSales University Center Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 72% | $26,990 | — |
| 22 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 38% | — | — |
| 23 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 49% | — | $43,090 |
| 24 | Endicott College Beverly, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 76% | $34,195 | — |
| 25 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 81% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Homeland Security field (CIP 43.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates come from. Each state links to all Homeland Security programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1 | 145 | George Mason University145 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 89 | Utica University89 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 56 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology45 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 47 | Waldorf University47 / yr |
| Idaho | 1 | 40 | Idaho State University40 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 33 | George Washington University33 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 30 | Columbia Southern University30 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 22 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global22 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 19 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana19 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 15 | Sam Houston State University6 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 15 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence15 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 14 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester14 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 12 | Colorado Mesa University12 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 11 | Turtle Mountain College11 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 6 | Walsh College5 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 6 | Capitol Technology University6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 5 | Community College of Allegheny County3 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 1 | University of Alaska Fairbanks1 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 1 | Arkansas Tech University1 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | Endicott College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1012, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Critical Infrastructure Protection program can pursue careers as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, Emergency Management Directors, and other roles in public safety. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 10,900 annual openings and a median wage of $105,980, typically requiring at least a high school diploma.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0303
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectivesprimary SOC 33-1012 | $106,040 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~10,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Emergency Management Directors SOC 11-9161 | $93,330 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Critical Infrastructure Protection programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
- Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
- Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
- Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
- Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
- Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.
Tools and technology used
Other Homeland Security specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Homeland Security (CIP 43.03).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, monitoring, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 10,900 annual openings.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can pursue careers such as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives and Emergency Management Directors.
What is the CIP code for Critical Infrastructure Protection?+
Critical Infrastructure Protection is CIP 43.0303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Homeland Security (CIP 43.03). NCES defines it as: 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. Includes instruction in homeland security policy, critical infrastructure policy, information security, matrix vulnerability assessment, threat assessment, physical security, personnel security, operational security, contingency planning, case analyses of specific industries and systems, redundancy planning, emergency and disaster planning, security systems, and intelligence operations.
How many institutions offer Critical Infrastructure Protection programs?+
25 U.S. institutions reported Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 568 credentials in the year. That is 8.6% of all Homeland Security graduates.
How much do Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives occupation, which Critical Infrastructure Protection most directly leads to, pays a median of $106,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Homeland Security field report median earnings of $62,313 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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