Homeland Security at Herzing University-New Orleans

At roughly $27,000 in debt for a bachelor's degree, this program falls above the national median for homeland security programs, which typically see graduates leave with about $23,500. That wouldn't be worrisome if Louisiana offered a clear career path in this field, but you're looking at the only homeland security bachelor's program in the state—which makes it harder to gauge local employment prospects. Herzing's student body (72% receive Pell grants) suggests many families here are stretching financially to make college work.

The estimated first-year earnings of around $48,700 come from comparable homeland security programs nationally. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 isn't alarming on paper—it suggests manageable repayment if your child lands in a related federal or state security role. But homeland security is a field where job prospects depend heavily on geographic flexibility and security clearance eligibility. If your child needs to stay in Louisiana, they may find limited openings compared to graduates near major federal installations or port cities with robust security operations.

Without Louisiana-specific outcomes data and only one program in the state, you're essentially betting on national trends applying locally. If your child is committed to this career path and willing to relocate for opportunities, the debt level is workable. If they're hoping to stay in Louisiana after graduation, understand you're paying above-average debt for a field with an unclear regional market.