Homeland Security at Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech's Homeland Security program sits right at the Arkansas median for earnings but trails the national average by about $5,600 annually. Graduates earn roughly $43,000 whether you measure one year out or four years out—a flat trajectory that suggests limited advancement opportunities in this field or geographic market. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile within Arkansas, that's less impressive when you realize there are only two schools in the state offering this degree. Nationally, it falls to the 29th percentile, meaning seven out of ten similar programs produce higher earnings.

The debt load of $25,355 is manageable at 0.59 times first-year earnings, and Arkansas Tech serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (34%), so accessibility matters here. However, parents should weigh whether a degree that produces the same salary at year four as year one justifies even moderate debt. The lack of earnings growth is the real concern—most bachelor's degrees show meaningful salary progression as graduates gain experience and move up in their careers.

If your child is committed to homeland security work and plans to stay in Arkansas, this program won't saddle them with crushing debt. But the stagnant earnings trajectory and below-average national outcomes suggest exploring other majors or schools with stronger career advancement patterns, especially if federal or out-of-state opportunities are on the table.