Security Science and Technology at Montreat College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 sits right at the threshold where security professionals would advise caution. Based on comparable security science programs nationally, Montreat's estimated $27,000 debt burden against first-year earnings around $39,250 means graduates would dedicate roughly 17% of their gross income to loan payments under standard repayment—manageable, but only with careful budgeting. The estimated debt runs slightly above the national median for these programs, though it aligns with what private colleges typically require in borrowing.

What makes this harder to assess is that security science encompasses everything from cybersecurity to emergency management to physical security operations, fields with vastly different earning trajectories. The national median of $39,252 reflects this diversity, but it doesn't tell you whether Montreat's specific curriculum leans toward higher-paying technical tracks or more generalist security management roles. With 40% of students receiving Pell grants, the school serves many families for whom $27,000 in debt represents a significant commitment.

The numbers work if this leads to stable employment in a growing field, which security generally offers. But without actual graduate outcomes from Montreat, you're betting on whether their program performs at least as well as the typical security science bachelor's nationwide. If your child has specific security career goals, verify that Montreat's curriculum and industry connections match those ambitions before committing.