Homeland Security at Immaculata University

With peer programs nationally suggesting first-year earnings around $48,700 and estimated debt of $27,000, this Homeland Security degree from Immaculata appears positioned above Pennsylvania's median for the field—though that comparison comes with significant uncertainty given the limited data available. The state's only reported outcome shows Slippery Rock graduates earning just $31,700, suggesting Pennsylvania's security sector may not reward these degrees as generously as other regions.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 falls within manageable territory by national standards, meaning graduates from similar programs typically earn enough to handle their loan payments without severe financial strain. However, that calculation assumes Immaculata's outcomes mirror the national pattern rather than Pennsylvania's lower earnings trajectory. If this program actually tracks closer to state norms, that $27,000 in debt becomes a heavier burden relative to a $32,000 starting salary.

The core challenge here is straightforward: you're considering a program where both the earnings potential and debt load are educated guesses based on peer schools, not tracked outcomes from Immaculata itself. For a field where salaries can vary dramatically by employer type—federal agencies pay differently than private security firms or local government—that uncertainty matters. If your child is set on Homeland Security, pin down what specific career paths this program prepares them for and whether those roles are realistic in your region before committing to even modest debt.