West Virginia · Security Science and Technology

Best colleges for Security Science and Technology in West Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

West Virginia University, University of Charleston and Glenville State University award the most Security Science and Technology degrees in West Virginia: 139, 83 and 27 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 West Virginia colleges offer Security Science and Technology and award 353 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…

Institutions
8
offering CIP 43.04
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
353
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$44,255
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$14,845
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
44%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Forensic Science Technicians
$62,840
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,25513965%—$24,324
2Glenville State University
Glenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,2372734%—$29,750
3American Public University System
Charles Town Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online
$49,6226457%$10,199$32,294

Colleges awarding the most Security Science and Technology degrees in West Virginia

Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. * Campuses that share a federal aid ID report one College Scorecard figure.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1West Virginia University
Morgantown Public
139$44,255*
2University of Charleston
Charleston Private not-for-profit
83Not reported
3Glenville State University
Glenville Public
27$38,237
4Marshall University
Huntington Public
13Not reported
5West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley Public
10$44,255*
6Fairmont State University
Fairmont Public
8Not reported
Show the other 2 West Virginia colleges offering Security Science and Technology
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
American Public University System (Online)Charles TownPrivate for-profit64
Salem UniversitySalemPrivate for-profit9

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+12.8%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$67,440
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingWritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningActive Learning

What Forensic Science Technicians earn in West Virginia

Jobs in West Virginia
110
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$62,840
median $63,330
Best-paying metro
$65,780
Charleston, WV

Related careers

Accountants and Auditors
$78,020 avg · 4,900 jobs
Computer Occupations, All Other
$114,300 avg · 3,380 jobs
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
$55,900 avg · 2,900 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
$75,730 avg · 490 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
$48,290 avg · 390 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Security Science and Technology programs in West Virginia.

Which West Virginia colleges award the most Security Science and Technology degrees?+

West Virginia University (139 graduates a year), University of Charleston (83 graduates a year) and Glenville State University (27 graduates a year) award the most Security Science and Technology degrees in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 West Virginia colleges offer Security Science and Technology.

Which Security Science and Technology program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, West Virginia University tops the list at $44,255. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Forensic Science Technicians earn in West Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Forensic Science Technicians in West Virginia is $62,840 (median $63,330), across about 110 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).

Security Science and Technology in other statesRhode IslandVermontOklahomaFloridaArizonaPennsylvaniaIllinoisMinnesota

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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