by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 24 U.S. colleges awarded 497 degrees and certificates in Security & Loss Prevention Services. Certificates are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Security & Loss Prevention Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $40,221 one year after completing, rising to $53,914 after four years.
A degree in Security & Loss Prevention Services explores Security And Loss Prevention Services. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Perform Routine Inspection, Patrol And Crime Prevention Services For Private Clients. Includes Instruction In The Provision Of Personal Protection As Well As Property Security.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, security & loss prevention services draws strong interest, with 497 degrees awarded annually. 24 colleges award security & loss prevention services degrees, an average of 21 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 79.
By level, the 497 awards include 252 certificates, 5 associate degrees, 19 bachelor’s degrees and 121 master’s degrees.
Women earned 61% of security & loss prevention services degrees and certificates in the latest year (303 of 497). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (138) and White (120), and international students earned 5.
College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Security & Loss Prevention Services Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 1 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks security & loss prevention services schools within 1 state. In all, 24 colleges offer security & loss prevention services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Security & Loss Prevention Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common security & loss prevention services credential is the certificate: 252 of the 497 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to security & loss prevention services call most for Active Listening, Monitoring and Speaking, and for knowledge of Public Safety and Security, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Oral Comprehension and Far Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a security & loss prevention services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 252 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 19 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 121 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to security & loss prevention services, at 53.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 53.7% |
| Some college courses | 15.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Master’s degree | 1.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Security & Loss Prevention Services, with an average median salary of $63,490; the strongest outlook belongs to Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary, at 12.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Surveillance Officer, Armed Security Officer, Security Officer and Patrolman.
The occupation related to security & loss prevention services with the most projected jobs is First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers, at 489,192.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | 489,192 | 4.7% |
| Security Guards | 376,630 | 7.9% |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | 338,702 | -3.1% |
| Transit and Railroad Police | 164,352 | 8.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 52,113 | 12.0% |
Security & Loss Prevention Services graduates earn a median $40,221 one year after completing their program, $53,914 after four years and $50,331 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,221 |
| 4 years | $53,914 |
| 5 years | $50,331 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to security & loss prevention services, with a median salary of $91,449.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,449 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $75,304 |
| Security Guards | $70,212 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $47,463 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,021 |
Security & Loss Prevention Services has 12 similar majors in the Law Enforcement & Firefighting field, which together award 100,000 degrees a year; the largest are Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (41,501), Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (26,299) and Criminal Justice/Police Science (20,024). Browse all Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 41,501 |
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 26,299 |
| Criminal Justice/Police Science | 20,024 |
| Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other | 4,765 |
| Corrections | 3,838 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2,370 |
| Securities Services Administration/Management | 679 |
| Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing | 310 |
| Corrections Administration | 87 |
| Juvenile Corrections | 56 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
