Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,753
50th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$24,617
5% above national median

Analysis

SUNY Canton's Homeland Security program outperforms most New York competitors, placing graduates at the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $48,753—substantially above the state median of $43,612. Only Utica University does notably better among New York schools, while Canton beats SUNY Albany despite Albany's larger reputation. Debt levels of $24,617 are manageable, translating to a 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many comparable programs.

The earnings trajectory is encouraging, growing 13% to $54,844 by year four, which suggests graduates gain traction in their careers. The program serves a solidly middle-class student body (47% receive Pell grants), and Canton's 96% admission rate means access isn't a barrier. Nationally, the program sits right at median performance—not spectacular, but perfectly respectable for a public college charging SUNY tuition rates.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals work: reasonable debt, above-average earnings for New York, and steady career growth. Homeland Security isn't the highest-paying field, but Canton graduates enter it on competitive footing without crushing debt. If your child wants to work in emergency management, border security, or related government roles, this program delivers solid preparation at a price that won't sabotage their financial future.

Where SUNY College of Technology at Canton Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How SUNY College of Technology at Canton graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
SUNY College of Technology at Canton$48,753$54,844+12%
Grand Canyon University$68,503$73,431+7%
American Public University System$62,340$67,391+8%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach$48,676$64,823+33%
Utica University$57,215$61,736+8%

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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton$8,689$48,753$54,844$24,6170.50
Utica UniversityUtica$24,308$57,215$61,736$27,8460.49
University at AlbanyAlbany$10,408$38,472—$23,2500.60
Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester$37,504$27,387—$27,0000.99
National Median—$48,676—$23,4750.48

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 SUNY College of Technology at Canton, approximately 47% 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 42 graduates with reported earnings and 42 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.