Homeland Security Degree in Columbia, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Homeland Security degree analysis for Columbia, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$64K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Columbia
Cost of Living
127.2
index (100 = avg)
Homeland Security in Columbia, MD Overview
While Columbia has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Homeland Security students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,096/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Homeland Security enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Threat Assessment and Emergency Management. The adjusted starting salary in Columbia is approximately $63,600.
Category
Legal Studies
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,277/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
68%
Homeland Security Salary in Columbia (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Columbia's cost of living index of 127.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Homeland Security salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Columbia adjustment factor: 1.27x based on the local cost of living index.
Homeland Security ROI Calculator for Columbia
Estimate your return on investment for a Homeland Security degree using local Columbia tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Columbia avg aid: $11,277/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,584
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,080
vs HS diploma in Columbia
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Columbia
$532,416
Lifetime earnings premium ($636,000) minus total education cost ($103,584)
Student Loan Payoff for Homeland Security in Columbia
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Columbia for Homeland Security
Columbia State University
public
$10,473/yr
$41,892 total
University of Columbia
public
$12,187/yr
$48,748 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Columbia Community College
$6,406/yr
Top Employers for Homeland Security in Columbia
Columbia offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Homeland Security graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Columbia Hiring Sectors for Legal Studies
Law firms
Government agencies
Corporate legal departments
Non-profits
Courts
Common Homeland Security Job Titles
Homeland Security in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Legal Studies Majors in Columbia
Homeland Security Degree in Columbia — 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 Columbia.