Homeland Security: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Homeland Security programs prepare students to address complex national and global threats through strategic planning, policy development, and operational response. This interdisciplinary field integrates public safety, emergency management, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity to safeguard communities and infrastructure.
- Emergency Management: Focuses on planning, response, recovery, and mitigation strategies for natural disasters, technological failures, and human-made crises to ensure community resilience.
- Intelligence Analysis: Develops skills in collecting, evaluating, and interpreting data to support informed decision-making in threat assessment and national security operations.
- Crisis Response and Preparedness: Examines protocols and coordination mechanisms used during high-pressure incidents, emphasizing rapid deployment and interagency collaboration.
- Security Policy and Governance: Explores the legal, ethical, and institutional frameworks that shape national security strategies and public safety regulations.
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection: Addresses the defense of digital systems and critical infrastructure against cyber threats, including data breaches and network disruptions.
- Counterterrorism Strategies: Studies the root causes of terrorism, threat prevention methods, and the development of policies to disrupt terrorist networks and activities.
Homeland Security Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Homeland Security Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Homeland Security degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other, 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 104,330 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other 33-1099 | $74,960 | $40,750 - $102,360 | 20,460 | $36.04 |
| 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 |
Homeland Security Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,067 in Iowa to $94,790 in California—a 93% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 104,330 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 Homeland Security by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Homeland Security 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 Homeland Security is found at New Jersey City University (NJCU) (52 graduates), Northeastern University Professional Programs (33 graduates), Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (32 graduates), Palm Beach State College (PBSC) (29 graduates), and Arkansas Tech University (ATU) (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 213 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey City University (NJCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Public | njcu.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
33 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Residency
|
32 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Residency
|
29 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Other Award
|
15 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
Master's
|
15 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | worldwide.erau.edu |
| Lake Technical College (Lake Tech) |
Residency
|
11 | Eustis, Florida | Public | laketech.org |
| South Florida State College (SFSC) |
Residency
|
6 | Avon Park, Florida | Public | southflorida.edu |
| Empire State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Saratoga Springs, New York | Public | sunyempire.edu |
| ICPR Junior College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Manati, Puerto Rico | Private | icprjc.edu |
| Columbia College |
Other Award
|
2 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | ccis.edu |
| Rivier University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Nashua, New Hampshire | Private | rivier.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Herzing University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | herzing.edu |
| Herzing University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Madison, Wisconsin | Private | herzing.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Homeland Security programs
How much can I earn with a Homeland Security degree?
Salaries for Homeland Security graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other earn a median of $74,960 annually, while Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $71,470. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $94,790 compared to $49,067 in Iowa. Approximately 104,330 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 Homeland Security programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Homeland Security degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New Jersey City University (NJCU) (52 graduates), Northeastern University Professional Programs (33 graduates), and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (32 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 Homeland Security growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 44 in 2010 to 213 in 2023-24. This represents a 384% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Homeland Security degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary, and First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers. Related occupations employ approximately 104,330 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.
Related Security & Safety Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Security & Safety field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
A program that focuses on the application of clinical and criminal laboratory science, investigative techniques, and criminology to the reconstruction of crimes and...
Cyber and Computer Forensics
A program focusing on the principles and techniques used to identify, search, seize and analyze digital media and to conduct cyber investigations against...
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy
A program that focuses on the study of strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of and operations in cyberspace. Includes instruction in...
Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
A program focusing on the principles and techniques of conducting investigations into financial crime, terrorist activity, and the analysis and use of accounting...
Forensic Science and Technology
A program that focuses on the application of the physical, biomedical, and social sciences to the analysis and evaluation of physical evidence, human...
Geospatial Intelligence
A program that prepares individuals to analyze security and intelligence problems using a geographic perspective by relating human actions to cultural, political, economic,...