Homeland Security at Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University's homeland security graduates earn $68,503 their first year—42% more than the typical Arizona graduate in this field and 41% above the national median. That 80th percentile ranking among Arizona programs becomes even more striking when you consider the competition: the only other major program in the state, University of Arizona, shows first-year earnings of just $34,103. GCU graduates are earning twice as much right out of the gate.

The debt picture reinforces the value proposition. At $28,787, graduates borrow only slightly more than the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42—meaning most could pay off their loans in under six months of gross earnings. That's exceptional leverage for a bachelor's degree. The 7% earnings growth to $73,431 by year four suggests these graduates are building sustainable careers, not just landing entry-level jobs that plateau.

For parents concerned about ROI, this is what you want to see: strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and a program that ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. GCU's homeland security degree appears to connect graduates with federal law enforcement, border security, and emergency management roles that pay well from day one. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates means these aren't fluky numbers—this is a repeatable outcome.