Homeland Security Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Homeland Security degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Homeland Security in Albuquerque, NM Overview
Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's top college towns, with 40 institutions and a student population of 37,837. Public tuition averages $4,872/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Homeland Security enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Threat Assessment and Emergency Management. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $55,500.
Category
Legal Studies
Local Colleges
40
Public Tuition
$4,872/yr
Private Tuition
$14,580/yr
Room & Board
$13,830/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,246/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Homeland Security Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Homeland Security salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Homeland Security ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Homeland Security degree using local Albuquerque tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $4,872 | Private avg: $14,580
Albuquerque avg aid: $13,246/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,808
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$480,192
Lifetime earnings premium ($555,000) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Homeland Security in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Homeland Security
University of New Mexico
public
$8,064/yr
$32,256 total
National American University
private
$14,580/yr
$58,320 total
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
public
$1,680/yr
$6,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central New Mexico Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Homeland Security in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Homeland Security graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for Legal Studies
Law firms
Government agencies
Corporate legal departments
Non-profits
Courts
Common Homeland Security Job Titles
Homeland Security in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Legal Studies Majors in Albuquerque
Homeland Security Degree in Albuquerque — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Homeland Security ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.