Homeland Security Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of national security, emergency management, and counterterrorism.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
4 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Homeland Security Overview
Study of national security, emergency management, and counterterrorism.
Category
Legal Studies
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$500K
Female Graduates
35%
Homeland Security Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$14,400
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$14,400
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$485,600
Lifetime earnings premium ($500,000) minus net degree cost ($14,400)
Homeland Security Salary Progression
Common Homeland Security Careers
Homeland Security Analyst
Emergency Manager
Intelligence Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Homeland Security
#1
George Mason
#2
Penn State
#3
University of Maryland
#4
Embry-Riddle
#5
American Military University
Related Majors
Homeland Security Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Homeland Security Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for homeland security programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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