Homeland Security
Quick Facts: Homeland Security Training
Where it's offered
Homeland Security programs are offered at 5 schools across 4 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $43,887/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Homeland Security — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 5 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 49/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Homeland Security Graduates Do
Your career in homeland security places you at the center of planning and response. As an emergency management director, you’ll work from an operations center, coordinating drills with police and fire departments and developing the plans that keep communities safe during a crisis. Alternatively, you could become a first-line supervisor for a police department, where your day involves managing patrol schedules, reviewing officers’ reports, and providing critical guidance during active investigations.
Read more
These leadership paths have steady demand, but you’ll build up to them. Many start as an officer, agent, or analyst to gain frontline experience. With a few years of proven performance, you can advance to a supervisory position, leading a team and seeing your earnings grow significantly. Experienced managers and directors who set strategy for entire departments often earn well over six figures. While AI tools may help analyze threat data or optimize resource allocation, the core of your job—making tough calls under pressure and leading people through a crisis—will always require human judgment.
If Homeland Security doesn't fit your goals, programs like Security Technology, Criminal Justice, and Fire Protection draw from adjacent skill sets.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Homeland Security. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB |
Competency | Competency | $100K – $136,550 – $179K | 4.5% |
|
Production Controller
RAPIDS 1058CB |
Competency | Competency | $64K – $86,130 – $120K | 3.0% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Homeland Security Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Homeland Security is offered at 5 schools across 4 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.
Top Homeland Security Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Homeland Security programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
5 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA |
74 71–75 |
| 2 | Husson University Bangor, ME |
56 53–57 |
| 3 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ |
55 53–56 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ |
55 51–56 |
| 5 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI |
54 49–56 |
Highest Earning Homeland Security Programs
Schools where Homeland Security graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | $54,209/yr | 74 |
| Husson University | $46,281/yr | 56 |
| Lake Superior State University | $42,663/yr | 54 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | $38,140/yr | 55 |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion | $38,140/yr | 55 |
Best ROI for Homeland Security
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Homeland Security.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | 96.7x | $54,209/yr | 74 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | 30.6x | $38,140/yr | 55 |
| Lake Superior State University | 20.9x | $42,663/yr | 54 |
| Husson University | 19.9x | $46,281/yr | 56 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Homeland Security degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.