Homeland Security at Excelsior University

Comparable Homeland Security programs in New York suggest first-year earnings around $44,000—right at the state median but notably below the $49,000 national benchmark. The estimated $27,000 in debt sits slightly above typical borrowing levels for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. That means graduates would owe roughly seven months' salary, manageable but not particularly advantageous compared to peer programs.

The wide range among New York programs tells an important story: top performers like Utica University produce graduates earning $57,000, while others lag considerably behind. Since Excelsior's actual outcomes aren't available, you're essentially betting on where they'd fall in this spectrum. The national data shows this field generally delivers steady, middle-income career starts rather than high-earning trajectories—even the 75th percentile nationally reaches just $62,000.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamental question is whether Excelsior's specific program model justifies similar debt levels to programs with demonstrated outcomes. The estimated figures suggest a workable debt burden if earnings materialize as projected, but without actual graduate data from this school, you're making that decision with significantly less information than you'd have choosing a program with reported outcomes.