Homeland Security at New Jersey City University

New Jersey City University's Homeland Security program starts graduates at $39,624—nearly $10,000 below the national median and about $3,400 below the state median. But before dismissing it, consider what happens next: earnings jump 27% to reach $50,145 by year four, actually surpassing both state and national benchmarks. Among New Jersey's four Homeland Security programs, this sits right at the 40th percentile for starting pay, trailing Rowan by a few thousand dollars but carrying identical debt loads at $14,562.

That low debt load matters enormously here. At a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates owe just four and a half months of their first-year salary—far less than the national median debt of $23,475 for this field. This combination of manageable debt and strong earnings growth suggests graduates can absorb the slower start without lasting financial damage. The school's 52% Pell grant population indicates it's serving students who might not have cheaper alternatives, and the trajectory shows the degree eventually delivers competitive outcomes.

The trade-off is clear: your child will likely start in an entry-level role with below-average pay but minimal debt. If they're willing to invest those first few years in building experience—common in law enforcement and security careers—the earnings curve bends upward meaningfully. For families worried about debt burden, this program's light financial load makes the initial earnings gap more tolerable than it would be elsewhere.