National Security Policy: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
National Security Policy is a rigorous academic discipline that examines the strategic frameworks and operational mechanisms used by nations to safeguard their sovereignty, stability, and global interests. This program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how political, military, and intelligence systems converge to shape defense decisions and influence international outcomes.
- History of National Security: Explores pivotal events and long-term developments that have shaped modern defense strategies and geopolitical dynamics.
- Political Theory and Statecraft: Analyzes foundational ideas about power, governance, and legitimacy as they relate to national survival and foreign policy.
- Public Policy Analysis: Develops skills in evaluating the design, implementation, and impact of security-related policies across governmental levels.
- Civil-Military Relations: Investigates the balance of authority, accountability, and coordination between civilian leadership and military institutions.
- Military and Defense Studies: Focuses on the structure, doctrine, capabilities, and evolving roles of modern armed forces in national and international contexts.
- Homeland Security: Addresses domestic preparedness, crisis response, and protection against internal and external threats to national infrastructure and population.
- Leadership in High-Stakes Environments: Cultivates decision-making, ethical judgment, and command competencies essential for security and defense leadership.
- Threat Scenarios and Risk Assessment: Trains students to identify, analyze, and respond to emerging and complex security threats, including hybrid warfare and cyber intrusions.
- Regional and Local Security Dynamics: Examines how geographic, cultural, and political factors influence conflict, stability, and intervention strategies in specific global zones.
- Alliance and Coalition Operations: Studies the formation, management, and effectiveness of international partnerships in collective defense and peacekeeping missions.
- Defense Budgeting and Economics: Provides insight into the financial dimensions of military planning, procurement, and resource allocation within fiscal constraints.
- Intelligence and Strategic Analysis: Covers the collection, interpretation, and application of intelligence data to support national security decision-making and strategic planning.
National Security Policy Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
National Security Policy Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with National Security Policy degrees, including Political Scientists, Managers, All Other and Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 654,100 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Scientists 19-3094 | $139,380 | $74,750 - $191,880 | 5,950 | $67.01 |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1065 | $94,680 | $50,490 - $173,380 | 17,170 | N/A |
National Security Policy Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $70,820 in Utah to $170,310 in Delaware—a 140% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, Colorado, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 654,100 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 National Security Policy by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 45 institutions offering National Security Policy 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 National Security Policy is found at Angelo State University (ASU) (82 graduates), Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (70 graduates), Liberty University (60 graduates), University of Massachusetts, Lowell (53 graduates), and Fairmont State University (53 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 788 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
82 | San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
70 | Monterey, California | Public | nps.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
60 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
53 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| Fairmont State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | Fairmont, West Virginia | Public | fairmontstate.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
43 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
36 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
34 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
| Norwich University |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Northfield, Vermont | Private | norwich.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
29 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Excelsior University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Albany, New York | Private | excelsior.edu |
| Harvard University |
Postbac Cert.
|
21 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
20 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Master's
|
15 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
14 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Master's
|
14 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Master's
Other Award
|
13 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Master's
|
11 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| University of Akron |
Master's
|
11 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Other Award
|
10 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Other Award
|
9 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Master's
|
8 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Lebanon Valley College (LVC) |
Master's
|
6 | Annville, Pennsylvania | Private | lvc.edu |
| Anderson University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Anderson, Indiana | Private | anderson.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Master's
|
5 | Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| Park University |
Master's
|
4 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Tiffin University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Tiffin, Ohio | Private | tiffin.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Huntsville, Alabama | Public | uah.edu |
| Westminster College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fulton, Missouri | Private | wcmo.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Master's
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
2 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| La Roche University (LRU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | laroche.edu |
| Lander University |
Other Award
|
2 | Greenwood, South Carolina | Public | lander.edu |
| Morehead State University (MSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Morehead, Kentucky | Public | moreheadstate.edu |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about National Security Policy programs
How much can I earn with a National Security Policy degree?
Salaries for National Security Policy graduates vary by role and location. Political Scientists earn a median of $139,380 annually, while Managers, All Other earn around $136,550. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $170,310 compared to $70,820 in Utah. Approximately 654,100 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 National Security Policy programs?
Currently 45 accredited institutions offer National Security Policy degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Angelo State University (ASU) (82 graduates), Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (70 graduates), and Liberty University (60 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 National Security Policy growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 277 in 2010 to 788 in 2023-24. This represents a 184% 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 National Security Policy degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Political Scientists, Managers, All Other, and Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 654,100 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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