Homeland Security at Averett University

Virginia's homeland security programs typically produce substantially stronger outcomes than what comparable programs nationally suggest for Averett. George Mason's graduates earn around $91,000 in their first year—nearly double the $48,700 figure that national peer programs indicate might be typical here. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $27,000 in debt, though the 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio itself falls within manageable territory.

The challenge is uncertainty. With only three schools offering this bachelor's in Virginia, and Averett's outcomes unpublished due to small cohort size, you're making a decision with limited visibility. The national benchmark suggests first-year earnings would cover debt in about seven months of gross pay, which isn't alarming. But if your child could access one of Virginia's higher-performing programs—where graduates appear to enter better-paid roles in federal contracting or government security positions—the investment calculus shifts considerably.

Given Averett's 48% admission rate and the availability of stronger alternatives in-state, treat this as a fallback option rather than a first choice. If your child is drawn to Averett specifically, have direct conversations with the program about job placement rates and typical employer pathways. The degree might work fine for entry-level security roles, but you want confidence about whether it opens doors to the higher-earning positions that Virginia's homeland security market clearly offers.