Homeland Security at Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI · Public · Associate Degree

A 68% admission rate makes Lake Superior State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 1,391 in Sault Ste Marie, MI.

Program Analysis

Lake Superior State University's Homeland Security program produces graduates earning $42,663/yr — within striking distance of the $43,886 national average for this trade.

With a 23.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 34% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Homeland Security career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $21,875 against $42,663/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

Homeland Security is offered at just 5 schools in our analysis. Lake Superior State University's #5 ranking should be read in that context.

A 46% earnings increase from $42,663 to $62,370 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Homeland Security careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
54
Score
56
High End
Earnings $42,663/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (142,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$679K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
23.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$28,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,875
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,370
46% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Homeland Security graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980 +2.9% 67%
Emergency management directors $86,130 +3.0% 58%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Emergency management directors
$86,130
+3.0% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Homeland Security Career Guide

Homeland Security opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Homeland Security career guide →

Compare & Explore

Homeland Security Overview

Homeland Security at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Superior State University

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Superior State University's Homeland Security program score?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Homeland Security is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Are there apprenticeship options for Homeland Security?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Homeland Security occupations, such as Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer and Production Controller. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Homeland Security graduates?
Our model shows a 34% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Homeland Security careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Is there demand for Homeland Security workers?
With approximately 142,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Homeland Security offers a very large employment pool. Lake Superior State University graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →