Homeland Security at National University

National University's Homeland Security program starts strong with first-year earnings of $64,000—well above the $49,000 national median and putting graduates in the 81st percentile nationally. The manageable debt load of $23,450 means graduates owe just 37% of their first year's salary, which is quite reasonable. However, there's an unusual pattern here: by year four, earnings drop to $49,300, a 23% decline that's worth understanding before committing.

This earnings trajectory suggests graduates may be entering federal or contract positions with strong starting salaries that don't follow typical career progression, or that some are transitioning to different sectors. The California comparison is less informative since only two schools in the state offer this program, but the strong national standing indicates solid initial placement. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual career paths might be skewing the average more than in larger programs.

For parents, the key question is whether your student plans to stay in homeland security roles long-term or use this as a stepping stone. If they're aiming for federal law enforcement or security management careers with clear advancement paths, the strong start could lead to better outcomes than the four-year data suggests. The debt level won't trap them either way, giving flexibility to pivot if needed.