Security Science and Technology at Regent University

A first-year salary around $39,000—typical for Security Science and Technology programs nationally—faces off against an estimated $27,000 in debt. That 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory, meaning graduates would need to devote roughly 69% of their first year's salary to clear the debt if they chose an aggressive payoff strategy. More realistically, standard 10-year repayment plans would take a reasonable chunk of monthly income but shouldn't overwhelm a budget.

The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here, derived from peer institutions rather than Regent's actual graduate outcomes. Security Science programs vary considerably—George Mason University's graduates in Virginia earn about $42,000 first year, while VCU's average closer to $37,500. Regent's selective 41% admission rate and the fact that nearly half its students receive Pell grants suggest it serves a different population than George Mason, which could influence outcomes. The field itself typically doesn't produce spectacular early earnings, hovering around $40,000 nationally regardless of where you study.

The practical question: Can your family absorb the uncertainty of estimated figures and a modest starting salary? If $27,000 in debt feels comfortable against a likely $39,000-$42,000 range for first-year earnings, this program's financial profile doesn't raise red flags. But without actual Regent-specific data, you're betting on their program performing similarly to the national average.