Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degree) at Arkansas State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,676

Est. from national median (29 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,250

Est. from national median (16 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationally, this homeland security degree carries an estimated $23,250 in debt against first-year earnings of around $48,700—a manageable 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests graduates can reasonably handle their loan payments. That national benchmark puts Arkansas State roughly $5,600 ahead of what Arkansas Tech reports for the same credential, though it's worth noting that peer programs in Arkansas show considerable variation in outcomes.

The broader context matters here: homeland security bachelor's programs nationwide span from $48,700 to over $62,000 in first-year earnings, indicating that employment sector and specific role matter significantly. Arkansas State's accessible admission profile (70% acceptance rate, moderate test scores) paired with its 37% Pell Grant population suggests this program serves a range of students, many seeking stable public sector careers in law enforcement, emergency management, or border security roles.

For parents evaluating this investment, the estimated debt load sits just below the national median for the field, while projected earnings align squarely with typical outcomes. The practical question is whether your student is committed to homeland security careers specifically—these credentials typically lead to government positions with structured pay scales rather than private-sector variability. Given the limited reporting for this specific program, confirm placement rates and typical employer paths directly with the department before committing.

Where Arkansas State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all homeland security bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Homeland Security bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (2 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro	$7,754	$48,676*	—	$23,250*	—
Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville	$8,508	$43,090*	$43,114	$25,355*	0.59
National Median	—	$48,676*	—	$23,475*	0.48

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with homeland security graduates

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

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:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service supervisors not listed separately above.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Arkansas State University, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.