Best colleges for Security Science and Technology in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
George Mason University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and Virginia Commonwealth University award the most Security Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Virginia: 126, 73 and 71 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Virginia colleges offer Security Science and Technology and award 466 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…
Top 2 institutions, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,100 | 126 | 68% | — | $25,747 |
| 2 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,501 | 71 | 63% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Security Science and Technology degrees in Virginia
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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 126 | $42,100 |
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 73 | Not reported |
| 3 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 71 | $37,501 |
| 4 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 64 | Not reported |
| 5 | Washington University of Science and Technology Alexandria Private for-profit | 52 | Not reported |
| 6 | ECPI University Virginia Beach Private for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 8 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 9 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 6 Virginia colleges offering Security Science and Technology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton University | Hampton | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Public | 3 |
| New River Community College | Dublin | Public | 2 |
| Radford University | Radford | Public | 2 |
| Bluefield University | Bluefield | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092).
Top skills
What Forensic Science Technicians earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Security Science and Technology programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Security Science and Technology degrees?+
George Mason University (126 graduates a year), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (73 graduates a year) and Virginia Commonwealth University (71 graduates a year) award the most Security Science and Technology degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Virginia colleges offer Security Science and Technology.
Which Security Science and Technology program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, George Mason University tops the list at $42,100. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Forensic Science Technicians earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Virginia is $80,370 (median $68,900), across about 770 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).
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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