Security Science and Technology at Alvernia University

Pennsylvania's security science programs typically produce far stronger outcomes than what comparable national programs suggest for Alvernia. The state median of $58,000 dwarfs the estimated $39,000 figure for this program, and competing schools like Robert Morris and Chestnut Hill report substantially higher first-year earnings. This gap raises questions about whether Alvernia's version of this degree connects students to the same career pathways that make this field attractive elsewhere in Pennsylvania.

The estimated $27,000 debt load looks manageable on paper—you'd be borrowing roughly two-thirds of anticipated first-year income. But that calculation assumes the earnings estimate holds true, and when peer programs in your own state are producing outcomes 50% higher, that's a significant risk. Security science careers often require specific certifications, industry connections, or internship placements that vary dramatically by program, and these factors aren't captured in broad national averages.

Before committing, find out exactly where Alvernia's graduates land jobs and what employers recruit on campus. The suppressed data means too few students completed this program for the government to report outcomes, so you'll need to ask the department directly about recent graduate placements. If they can't provide concrete examples of security firms, government agencies, or corporations hiring their graduates—or if those employers differ substantially from where Robert Morris or Chestnut Hill grads work—the earnings gap may be real rather than a statistical artifact.