Homeland Security Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Homeland Security degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Homeland Security in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Homeland Security programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. Homeland Security enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Threat Assessment and Emergency Management. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $61,500.
Category
Legal Studies
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Homeland Security Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Homeland Security salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Homeland Security ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Homeland Security degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$507,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($615,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Homeland Security in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Homeland Security
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Homeland Security in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Homeland Security graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
Homeland Security Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.