Best institutions to study Homeland Security
Any instructional program in homeland security not listed above.
17 U.S. institutions graduated 285 Homeland Security students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0399, a specialization of Homeland Security (CIP 43.03), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers occupation (BLS SOC 33-1091).
About Homeland Security programs
Any instructional program in homeland security not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Homeland Security program focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of protective services, law enforcement, and emergency management. It is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers that enhance public safety and security in various capacities. This program caters to those who want to make a difference in their communities through effective emergency response and management.
Students in the Homeland Security program acquire essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers vital knowledge areas including public safety, administration, and law, preparing graduates for various roles in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Homeland Security graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of less than 12 weeks115 graduates / yr · 6 institutions40%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year53 graduates / yr · 4 institutions19%
- Master's degree47 graduates / yr · 3 institutions17%
- Bachelor's degree39 graduates / yr · 3 institutions14%
- Associate's degree20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
Graduates over time
Homeland Security completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2013 | 276 |
| 2014 | 336 |
| 2015 | 275 |
| 2016 | 228 |
| 2017 | 165 |
| 2018 | 175 |
| 2019 | 201 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 228 |
| 2022 | 267 |
| 2023 | 220 |
| 2024 | 213 |
| 2025 | 285 |
Top 17 institutions for Homeland Security, 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 | Richmond Community College Hamlet, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 46% | — | — |
| 2 | New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 34% | — | $39,624 |
| 3 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 40 | 31% | — | — |
| 4 | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 32 | 41% | — | — |
| 5 | Lake Technical College Eustis, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 27 | 47% | — | — |
| 6 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 49% | — | $43,090 |
| 8 | ICPR Junior College Manati, PRPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 61% | $6,920 | — |
| 9 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 21% | $21,266 | $48,676 |
| 10 | Orange Technical College Orlando, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 79% | — | — |
| 11 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 7 | 48% | — | — |
| 12 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 41% | — | — |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 86% | — | — |
| 14 | Rivier University Nashua, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 52% | $25,065 | — |
| 15 | Big Bend Technical College Perry, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 2 | 98% | — | — |
| 16 | Columbia College Columbia, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 42% | $23,247 | — |
| 17 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey Cranford, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 35% | — | — |
* 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 11 states & territories
Where Homeland Security graduates come from. Each state links to all Homeland Security programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 6 | 86 | Palm Beach State College32 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 46 | Richmond Community College46 / yr |
| New Jersey | 2 | 41 | New Jersey City University40 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 40 | Central New Mexico Community College40 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 26 | Northeastern University Professional Programs26 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 17 | Arkansas Tech University17 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 13 | ICPR Junior College13 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 6 | Empire State University6 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University5 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 3 | Rivier University3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 2 | Columbia College2 / yr |
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 as First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers and other related roles. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 2.7% and approximately 7,000 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $58,610, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0399
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 Security Workersprimary SOC 33-1091 | $55,940 | +2.7% About as fast as average | ~7,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other SOC 33-1099 | $76,400 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~2,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1111 | $76,590 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional 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 Homeland Security 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Homeland Security specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Homeland Security (CIP 43.03).
- Homeland SecurityCIP 43.03012,784 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Crisis/CIP 43.0302
Emergency/ Disaster Management 2,762 graduates / yr152 institutions - Critical Infrastructure ProtectionCIP 43.0303568 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism OperationsCIP 43.0304178 graduates / yr14 institutions
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn in this program?+
You can earn various credentials, including awards of less than 12 weeks, up to a master's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and writing.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers or in other protective service roles.
What is the job outlook for careers in Homeland Security?+
The job outlook shows a growth rate of 2.7% with about 7,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Homeland Security?+
Homeland Security is CIP 43.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Homeland Security (CIP 43.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in homeland security not listed above.
How many institutions offer Homeland Security programs?+
17 U.S. institutions reported Homeland Security graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states & territories, awarding 285 credentials in the year. That is 4.3% of all Homeland Security graduates.
How much do Homeland Security graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers occupation, which Homeland Security most directly leads to, pays a median of $55,940 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Homeland Security field report median earnings of $43,090 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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