Security Science and Technology at American Public University System

American Public University System's Security Science program starts strong with graduates earning $49,622 in their first year—26% above the national median and ranking in the 85th percentile nationally. That's genuinely impressive placement for a field where many programs struggle to reach $40,000. However, there's a troubling trajectory: by year four, earnings drop to $42,158, a 15% decline when most careers should be accelerating. In West Virginia, this program sits at the 60th percentile, meaning it's solid but not exceptional compared to in-state alternatives like WVU.

The debt picture is actually a bright spot. At $32,294, graduates carry manageable debt that's just 65% of first-year earnings—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold and in the 5th percentile nationally for this field. Given that Security Science programs nationally median at $25,000 in debt, you're paying a bit more, but the premium buys you notably higher initial earnings than most competitors.

The question is whether that initial earning advantage compensates for the earnings slide. For students planning to leverage this degree into a specific security role or use it as a stepping stone to graduate school, the strong first-year placement could matter most. But if your child expects steady career progression, investigate why earnings decline—it might reflect industry patterns or suggest graduates need additional credentials to advance.