Homeland Security at Herzing University-Brookfield

Similar programs nationally point to first-year earnings around $48,700 for a homeland security bachelor's degree—a modest starting salary that makes the estimated $27,000 in debt serviceable but hardly exciting. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 sits in reasonable territory, suggesting graduates could manage their loans without crushing hardship, though there's limited upside in those early-career numbers.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from national peer programs, since Herzing's own graduate outcomes aren't reported. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to deliver economic mobility, but comparable homeland security programs nationally show earnings that cluster in the mid-to-upper $40,000s—respectable for public service work, but not the kind of income that transforms financial circumstances quickly. The field itself tends toward government and security roles with structured pay scales, which means career advancement often depends on additional credentials or years of service rather than market-driven salary jumps.

For parents weighing this investment, the practical question is whether $48,000-range starting pay justifies four years of education and $27,000 in debt, especially when those figures come from similar programs rather than Herzing's actual track record. If your student is passionate about security or law enforcement and you're comfortable with a slow-and-steady career trajectory, the numbers work mathematically—just recognize you're betting on Herzing performing similarly to its national peers without direct evidence to confirm it.