by our College Data Analytics Team
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a homeland security degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying homeland security schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send homeland security graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in homeland security, no school beat George Mason University this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $163,625.
A rank of #2 makes George Washington University one of the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career homeland security graduates from George Washington University make a median of around $111,258 per year.
Utica College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying homeland security schools. Utica College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Utica College typically earn about $119,942 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Georgetown University earned it the #4 place for homeland security. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Homeland Security graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $96,515 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Arizona State University Skysong earned it the #5 place for homeland security. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Homeland Security graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $90,117 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying homeland security schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Tampa. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,268.
Columbia Southern University came in at #7 for homeland security graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Columbia Southern University typically earn about $83,721 annually.
American Public University System came in at #8 for homeland security graduate earnings this year. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $91,488 annually.
Florida International University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a public institution. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,638.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #10 spot for homeland security salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career homeland security graduates from Nova Southeastern University make a median of around $78,570 per year.
National University came in at #11 for homeland security graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $93,112.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Jonesboro. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus typically earn about $72,464 annually.
American University came in at #13 for homeland security graduate earnings this year. American University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,939.
Endicott College placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Endicott College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Endicott College typically earn about $67,077 annually.
Northeastern University Global Network landed the #15 spot for homeland security salaries this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,372.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying homeland security schools. Arkansas Tech University is a public school located in the town of Russellville. Early-career homeland security graduates from Arkansas Tech University make a median of around $59,668 per year.
Wilmington University earned the #17 position for homeland security graduate earnings this year. Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,007.
Sam Houston State University landed the #18 spot for homeland security salaries this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Early-career homeland security graduates from Sam Houston State University make a median of around $61,091 per year.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $69,747 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Homeland Security rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries homeland security graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 19 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.