Best institutions to study Security Science and Technology
A program of study that focuses on the general application of science and technology to security.
6 U.S. institutions graduated 60 Security Science and Technology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0401, a specialization of Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers occupation (BLS SOC 33-1091).
About Security Science and Technology programs
A program of study that focuses on the general application of science and technology to security.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Security Science and Technology program focuses on the application of science and technology to enhance security measures across various sectors. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and related protective services. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of security protocols and the technology that supports them.
Core coursework covers essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Students will also learn about public safety, administration, and management, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to address security challenges effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Security Science and Technology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate47 graduates / yr · 2 institutions78%
- Associate's degree7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions12%
- Bachelor's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions10%
Graduates over time
Security Science and Technology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 47 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 60 |
CIP 43.0401 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 6 institutions for Security Science and Technology, 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 46 | 86% | — | — |
| 2 | Carl Albert State College Poteau, OKPublicAssociate's | 6 | 43% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor's | 3 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | Turtle Mountain College Belcourt, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 43% | $3,883 | — |
| 5 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAssociate's | 1 | 65% | — | $35,887 |
| 6 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 83% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Security Science and Technology field (CIP 43.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 6 states
Where Security Science and Technology graduates come from. Each state links to all Security Science and Technology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1 | 46 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University46 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 6 | Carl Albert State College6 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 3 | University of Kansas3 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 3 | Turtle Mountain College3 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Fox Valley Technical College1 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | Purdue University - Main Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-1091, First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Security Science and Technology program can pursue careers as First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers, with an annual job growth outlook of 2.7% and approximately 7,000 openings each year. 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 43.0401
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 Police and Detectives SOC 33-1012 | $106,040 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~10,900 | 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 Security Science and Technology 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 Security Science and Technology specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04).
- Forensic Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04065,008 graduates / yr239 institutions
- Cyber/CIP 43.0403
Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism 2,457 graduates / yr126 institutions - Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/CIP 43.0404
Policy 1,710 graduates / yr66 institutions - Criminalistics and Criminal ScienceCIP 43.0402622 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Financial Forensics and Fraud InvestigationCIP 43.0405284 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Law Enforcement Intelligence AnalysisCIP 43.0408223 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Geospatial IntelligenceCIP 43.0407partial data19 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.0499limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Postbaccalaureate certificate, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers or in various law enforcement roles.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are six colleges in the U.S. offering the Security Science and Technology program.
What is the CIP code for Security Science and Technology?+
Security Science and Technology is CIP 43.0401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Security Science and Technology (CIP 43.04). NCES defines it as: A program of study that focuses on the general application of science and technology to security.
How many institutions offer Security Science and Technology programs?+
6 U.S. institutions reported Security Science and Technology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 60 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Security Science and Technology graduates.
How much do Security Science and Technology 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 Security Science and Technology most directly leads to, pays a median of $55,940 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Security Science and Technology field report median earnings of $35,887 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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