Security Science and Technology at Simpson College

Simpson College's Security Science and Technology bachelor's faces a challenging economics when you look at what peer programs produce. Comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $39,000 against an estimated $27,000 in debt—a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio that falls within manageable territory, but barely leaves much breathing room for a graduate starting out.

The bigger concern here is context: Simpson's high SAT average of 1410 signals academically strong students who might command better outcomes elsewhere. Security science programs exist at nearly 200 institutions nationwide, creating fierce competition for roles that don't necessarily reward the premium of a private college education. The $39,000 starting point represents the national median for this field—meaning half of similar programs produce lower returns—so there's no evidence this path leads to exceptional early earnings even when everything goes right.

For families considering a $27,000 debt load, the question becomes whether Simpson's smaller environment and connections justify the investment when the field itself produces modest starting salaries. If your child is passionate about security science specifically and thrives in intimate academic settings, this could work—but only if you've confirmed the program has strong industry partnerships and career placement support, since the generic national benchmarks give no reason for optimism on their own.