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 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying homeland security schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose homeland security graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Des Moines Area Community College, our #1 for homeland security graduate salaries in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the homeland security program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,209.
Strong graduate earnings at Bellevue University earned it the #2 place for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Bellevue University typically earn about $73,896 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Waldorf College earned it the #3 place for homeland security. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a private for-profit institution. Homeland Security graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of about $66,446 a year early in their careers.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying homeland security schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University typically earn about $63,715 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in homeland security will find them at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. After graduating, homeland security degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri typically earn about $46,768 annually.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for homeland security graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Homeland Security graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $42,802 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for homeland security. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of about $42,058 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their homeland security graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 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.
