Homeland Security Degree in Elgin, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Homeland Security degree analysis for Elgin, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Elgin
Cost of Living
79
index (100 = avg)
Homeland Security in Elgin, IL Overview
Elgin, Illinois (pop. 114,797) has 13 colleges offering Homeland Security programs. The local cost of living index of 79 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,008/month. Homeland Security enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Threat Assessment and Emergency Management. The adjusted starting salary in Elgin is approximately $39,500.
Category
Legal Studies
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,014/yr
Private Tuition
$30,900/yr
Room & Board
$9,983/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,897/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
47%
Homeland Security Salary in Elgin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Elgin's cost of living index of 79 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Homeland Security salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Elgin adjustment factor: 0.79x based on the local cost of living index.
Homeland Security ROI Calculator for Elgin
Estimate your return on investment for a Homeland Security degree using local Elgin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,014 | Private avg: $30,900
Elgin avg aid: $15,897/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,850
vs HS diploma in Elgin
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Elgin
$315,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($395,000) minus total education cost ($79,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Homeland Security in Elgin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Elgin for Homeland Security
Judson University
private
$30,900/yr
$123,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Elgin Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Homeland Security in Elgin
Elgin offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Homeland Security graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Elgin Hiring Sectors for Legal Studies
Law firms
Government agencies
Corporate legal departments
Non-profits
Courts
Common Homeland Security Job Titles
Homeland Security in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$52K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Legal Studies Majors in Elgin
Homeland Security Degree in Elgin — 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 Elgin.