Homeland Security at American Public University System

American Public University System's online Homeland Security program outperforms typical programs in this field by a significant margin. With first-year earnings of $62,340, graduates earn 28% more than the national median for this degree and land at the 75th percentile nationally. That's particularly impressive given the $19,552 debt load, which sits well below the national median of $23,475. The 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of salary—a manageable burden that allows them to build savings quickly.

The earnings trajectory holds steady, climbing 8% to $67,391 by year four. This isn't a field where graduates typically see explosive income growth, but the combination of strong starting pay and low debt creates real financial breathing room. For context, many Homeland Security programs struggle to break $50,000 in early earnings, so starting 25% higher matters. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't statistical flukes.

For families concerned about online degree value, this program offers concrete evidence that it delivers. The low debt, above-average earnings, and strong national standing make this a defensible choice, especially for students who need flexibility or are already working in related fields. Just understand you're buying stability and immediate earning power, not a ticket to six figures.