Analysis
Based on comparable homeland security bachelor's programs nationally, Bellevue's estimated first-year earnings of $48,676 exceed what the one other Nebraska program with reported data shows—University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates start at $42,058. That $6,600 advantage suggests Bellevue may be positioning its graduates effectively, though without program-specific data, it's impossible to confirm whether this school actually achieves these outcomes or simply benefits from being benchmarked against stronger national peers.
The estimated $27,000 debt load sits above both the national median ($23,475) and Nebraska's typical figure ($21,465) for this field. At a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio, borrowers would need roughly half their first year's salary to cover what they owe—manageable if the earnings estimate holds, but potentially problematic if this program's actual outcomes skew closer to Nebraska's lower state average. With 29% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are price-sensitive and can't afford to gamble on optimistic projections.
The core challenge is that you're making an investment decision based entirely on what peer programs achieve elsewhere, not on Bellevue's track record in homeland security specifically. If this program genuinely matches national performance, the debt burden is reasonable. But if it underperforms—landing closer to that $42,000 Nebraska benchmark—you're looking at a weaker return with above-average debt. Request placement data and salary outcomes directly from the school before committing.
Where Bellevue University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all homeland security bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Homeland Security bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (2 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,886 | $48,676* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $8,370 | $42,058* | — | $21,465* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $48,676* | — | $23,475* | 0.48 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with homeland security graduates
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
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 Bellevue University, approximately 29% 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.