Homeland Security at Husson University

Homeland Security bachelor's programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $49,000, and Husson's program likely falls in that range based on peer institutions. The estimated $27,000 debt load—slightly above the national median for these programs—translates to a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's a reasonable financial position for entering a public safety or security field, though parents should recognize these figures come from comparable programs across the country rather than tracking Husson's specific graduates.

The real question is career trajectory. Homeland Security degrees can lead to federal positions with agencies like TSA, CBP, or FEMA, where structured pay scales and benefits offset modest starting salaries. However, many of these roles don't strictly require this degree—law enforcement experience, military service, or criminal justice credentials often open the same doors. If your student has a clear path to a federal position or specific agency interest, the degree provides relevant knowledge. If they're exploring options more generally, similar programs nationally show wide variation in outcomes, with top performers earning $62,000+ in year one while others struggle to differentiate themselves from candidates with broader degrees.

The limited data here—Husson is Maine's only reported program in this field—means you're operating with less certainty than ideal. Talk to the career services office about alumni placement specifically in federal agencies versus state/local roles, and get concrete numbers on where recent graduates actually landed.