Homeland Security Degree in Waldorf, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Homeland Security degree analysis for Waldorf, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Waldorf
Cost of Living
120.7
index (100 = avg)
Homeland Security in Waldorf, MD Overview
While Waldorf has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Homeland Security students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,443/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 Waldorf is approximately $60,350.
Category
Legal Studies
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,454/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Homeland Security Salary in Waldorf (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waldorf's cost of living index of 120.7 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Homeland Security salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Waldorf adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Homeland Security ROI Calculator for Waldorf
Estimate your return on investment for a Homeland Security degree using local Waldorf tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Waldorf avg aid: $12,454/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,972
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,105
vs HS diploma in Waldorf
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waldorf
$498,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($603,500) minus total education cost ($104,972)
Student Loan Payoff for Homeland Security in Waldorf
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waldorf for Homeland Security
Waldorf State University
public
$10,152/yr
$40,608 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waldorf Community College
$5,704/yr
Top Employers for Homeland Security in Waldorf
Waldorf offers opportunities in Law firms, Government agencies, Corporate legal departments for Homeland Security graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waldorf 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
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
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 Waldorf
Homeland Security Degree in Waldorf — 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 Waldorf.