Security and Loss Prevention: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Security and Loss Prevention is a specialized academic program designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to safeguard people, assets, and facilities in private-sector environments. The curriculum emphasizes proactive risk mitigation, threat assessment, and the implementation of comprehensive security strategies across diverse organizational settings.
- Physical Security Operations: Training in the systematic monitoring, inspection, and protection of facilities through regular patrols, access control, and surveillance systems to deter unauthorized entry and criminal activity.
- Loss Prevention Strategies: Focus on identifying vulnerabilities in inventory, supply chains, and operational processes to reduce theft, fraud, and operational inefficiencies in commercial and retail environments.
- Emergency Response Protocols: Instruction in preparedness and reaction procedures for incidents such as fire, medical emergencies, violent confrontations, and natural disasters, ensuring rapid and effective on-site intervention.
- Personal Protection Services: Development of techniques and protocols for the safe and ethical provision of close protection, including situational awareness, threat evaluation, and tactical mobility.
- Security Technology Integration: Exploration of modern security tools including CCTV systems, alarm networks, biometric access controls, and digital monitoring platforms to enhance detection and response capabilities.
- Legal and Ethical Compliance: Study of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards governing private security practices, including use-of-force policies, privacy rights, and civil liability.
Security and Loss Prevention Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Security and Loss Prevention Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Security and Loss Prevention degrees, including Transit and Railroad Police, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary and First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,338,640 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transit and Railroad Police 33-3052 | $82,320 | $58,370 - $141,870 | 3,000 | $39.58 |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1111 | $71,470 | $45,640 - $143,130 | 13,560 | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers 33-1091 | $58,610 | $37,800 - $93,930 | 70,310 | $28.18 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators 33-9031 | $43,900 | $34,020 - $62,360 | 10,000 | $21.11 |
| Security Guards 33-9032 | $38,370 | $29,800 - $59,580 | 1,241,770 | $18.45 |
Security and Loss Prevention Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $44,278 in Iowa to $79,034 in California—a 78% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,338,640 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Security and Loss Prevention by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 22 institutions offering Security and Loss Prevention programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Security and Loss Prevention is found at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) (76 graduates), Gateway Technical College (50 graduates), Miami Dade College (MDC) (46 graduates), UEI College, Ontario (45 graduates), and UEI College, Bakersfield (40 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 494 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Residency
|
76 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| Gateway Technical College |
Other Award
|
50 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Residency
|
46 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
45 | Ontario, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
40 | Bakersfield, California | Private | uei.edu |
| University of New Haven (UNH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | West Haven, Connecticut | Private | newhaven.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
39 | Chula Vista, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College (UEI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
29 | Fresno, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
24 | Garden Grove, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
23 | Gardena, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
22 | Oceanside, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | West Covina, California | Private | uei.edu |
| UEI College (UEI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Huntington Park, California | Private | uei.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
9 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Oakton College |
Other Award
|
4 | Des Plaines, Illinois | Public | oakton.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Residency
|
3 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| College of Lake County (CLC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Grayslake, Illinois | Public | clcillinois.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Delta College |
Associate's
|
1 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| New England College (NEC) |
Master's
|
1 | Henniker, New Hampshire | Private | nec.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Security and Loss Prevention programs
How much can I earn with a Security and Loss Prevention degree?
Salaries for Security and Loss Prevention graduates vary by role and location. Transit and Railroad Police earn a median of $82,320 annually, while Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $71,470. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $79,034 compared to $44,278 in Iowa. Approximately 1,338,640 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Security and Loss Prevention programs?
Currently 22 accredited institutions offer Security and Loss Prevention degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Hillsborough Community College (HCC) (76 graduates), Gateway Technical College (50 graduates), and Miami Dade College (MDC) (46 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Security and Loss Prevention growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,049 in 2010 to a peak of 711 in 2020, before declining slightly to 494 in 2023-24. This represents a 53% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Security and Loss Prevention degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Transit and Railroad Police, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary, and First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,338,640 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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