Security Science and Technology at The University of Texas at El Paso

A $23,495 salary one year after graduation raises immediate red flags—this is less than many full-time jobs requiring no degree at all. While UTEP serves a predominantly working-class student population (61% receive Pell grants), this program still ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for Security Science graduates. Even within Texas, where the state median is $31,144, this program falls short. For context, Texas A&M's similar program graduates earn $38,792 in their first year—64% more than UTEP's Security Science majors.

The debt load of $25,432 might seem manageable in absolute terms, but paired with such low earnings, it creates a problematic 1.08 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates would need to dedicate nearly their entire first year's salary to pay off student loans—a financially untenable situation that typically signals poor program value. The critical caveat here is the small sample size (under 30 graduates), which means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year.

Before committing to this program, families should investigate whether these graduates are working in their field or if many are taking jobs that don't require this degree. Given UTEP's open admission policy, some students may be trading up from minimum wage work, which could explain the low starting salaries. However, the wide gap between this program and competitors suggests serious concerns about curriculum, employer connections, or regional job market fit that warrant deeper investigation before enrollment.