Homeland Security & Law Enforcement

Programs in law enforcement, criminal justice, fire science, emergency management, and cybersecurity. Prepares students for careers protecting communities and responding to emergencies.

Common careers: Police Officer, FBI Agent, Firefighter, Emergency Manager, Corrections Officer, Intelligence Analyst

4,695Programs
2,064Schools
$43,158Median Earnings
$33,950$50,662Middle 50% Earnings
$17,649Avg Debt at Graduation

Specializations

Top Earning Programs

Highest median earnings one year after graduation

1
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of San Diego, CA
$143,943
2
Homeland Security(masters)George Mason University, VA
$138,835
3
Homeland Security(doctoral)Capella University, MN
$127,306
4
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting(bachelors)Neumann University, PA
$125,391
5
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Curry College, MA
$121,483
6
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
$111,649
7
Homeland Security(masters)George Washington University, DC
$111,258
8
Security Science and Technology(masters)Champlain College, VT
$110,892
9
Fire Protection(bachelors)Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, IL
$104,017
10
Criminal Justice and Corrections(postbacc-cert)University of Louisville, KY
$102,190
11
Security Science and Technology(masters)University of Maryland Global Campus, MD
$101,880
12
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of Chicago, IL
$100,258
13
Security Science and Technology(masters)University of San Diego, CA
$97,944
14
Fire Protection(bachelors)Waldorf University, IA
$97,731
15
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)Lewis University, IL
$96,146
16
Security Science and Technology(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University3 campuses
$94,550
17
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)San Bernardino Valley College, CA
$94,285
18
Criminal Justice and Corrections(masters)University of Massachusetts-Lowell, MA
$93,930
19
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting(masters)California State University-Long Beach, CA
$92,422
20
Fire Protection(associates)Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, OH
$91,944
21
Criminal Justice and Corrections(certificate)San Diego Miramar College, CA
$91,647
22
Security Science and Technology(postbacc-cert)Salve Regina University, RI
$91,193
23
Criminal Justice and Corrections(doctoral)Nova Southeastern University, FL
$90,969
24
Homeland Security(bachelors)George Mason University, VA
$90,956
25
Fire Protection(associates)North Shore Community College, MA
$90,948

Career Paths

Occupations linked to homeland security & law enforcement programs

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

$97,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Customs and Border Protection Officers

Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Transit and Railroad Police

Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Top States

States with the most homeland security & law enforcement programs

CA425 programs$40,157 avg
TX281 programs$44,626 avg
FL240 programs$47,381 avg
OH222 programs$44,212 avg
NC220 programs$42,161 avg
NY215 programs$41,535 avg
PA191 programs$44,240 avg
IL187 programs$45,823 avg
GA161 programs$41,375 avg
MI144 programs$50,087 avg
VA133 programs$41,884 avg
MA116 programs$49,366 avg
AZ110 programs$45,031 avg
KY105 programs$43,600 avg
MO101 programs$44,091 avg