Homeland Security at Arizona State University Digital Immersion

Arizona State's digital homeland security certificate produces graduates earning roughly $4,000 below the national median at $38,140, though this actually places them exactly at the state median—meaning most homeland security programs in Arizona face similar earning constraints. With debt of $20,843 and a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates are looking at manageable but not insignificant loan payments relative to their first-year income.

The national 25th percentile ranking deserves context: Arizona's security job market appears weaker than many states, so this program's 60th percentile state ranking suggests it's performing respectably within its regional constraints. Interestingly, ASU's campus immersion version of this same program reports identical outcomes, meaning the digital format isn't penalizing graduates in the job market. For students who need the flexibility of online learning, that's meaningful.

The fundamental question is whether a certificate costing over $20,000 makes sense when starting salaries hover around $38,000. If your child already works in a related field and needs credentials for advancement, this could work. But for someone starting from scratch, that debt load—representing more than half a year's earnings—creates a tight financial situation right out of the gate. The certificate format suggests this might work best as a targeted credential boost rather than a standalone career launcher.