Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degree) at Roberts Wesleyan University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$27,387

5th percentile

10th percentile in New York

Median Debt

$27,000

15% above national median

Analysis

Roberts Wesleyan's Homeland Security program produces graduates earning $27,387 one year after completing their degree—barely above half the national median of $48,676 and significantly below New York's state median of $43,612. Even accounting for the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these outcomes rank in the bottom 10% both nationally and statewide. For comparison, Utica University's graduates in the same field earn more than double at $57,215, while even SUNY Canton delivers $48,753.

The nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates typically owe as much as they'll earn in their entire first year—a concerning starting point for loan repayment. At $27,000 first-year salary, the standard federal loan payment would consume roughly 18% of pre-tax income. While the debt load itself isn't unusually high (25th percentile nationally), it's the mismatch with earnings that creates financial strain.

The small cohort size warrants caution—one or two students pursuing graduate school or facing unusual circumstances could skew these numbers. However, if you're considering this program, you should demand clear answers about career placement and why outcomes lag so far behind comparable New York programs. At minimum, explore the higher-performing alternatives within the state system where in-state tuition would offer better value alongside stronger earning potential.

Where Roberts Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all homeland security bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Roberts Wesleyan University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Homeland Security bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester	$37,504	$27,387	—	$27,000	0.99
Utica UniversityUtica	$24,308	$57,215	$61,736	$27,846	0.49
SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton	$8,689	$48,753	$54,844	$24,617	0.50
University at AlbanyAlbany	$10,408	$38,472	—	$23,250	0.60
National Median	—	$48,676	—	$23,475	0.48

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with homeland security graduates

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other

All protective service supervisors not listed separately above.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Roberts Wesleyan University, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.