Security Science and Technology at The University of Olivet

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 would typically suggest a manageable starting point, but when both figures come from national program medians rather than this specific school's outcomes, it's hard to know if Olivet's graduates are reaching those benchmarks. National data suggests Security Science and Technology graduates earn around $39,000 in their first year—a modest income that makes the estimated $27,000 debt load significant if repayment struggles emerge. For a family weighing this investment, the 97% admission rate and 42% Pell grant population indicate this school serves students who may have fewer financial cushions if the program underperforms expectations.

The field itself appears relatively standardized nationally, with 196 programs producing similar early earnings, but Michigan has only five options total, and none report data publicly. That means you're choosing between schools that either have too few graduates to generate reliable outcomes or choose not to participate in federal reporting—neither scenario inspires confidence. Without knowing whether Olivet's career services, internship pipelines, or employer relationships match those of the programs that produced the $39,000 benchmark, you're essentially betting on parity.

If your child is set on security science and committed to Michigan, request specific placement data directly from Olivet: where do graduates work, what roles do they fill, and what do they actually earn? The estimated figures provide a ceiling to aim for, not a floor to expect.