by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 64 U.S. colleges awarded 1,211 degrees and certificates in Other Homeland Security. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 28 schools in its 2027 Best Other Homeland Security Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $55,723 one year after completing, rising to $77,451 after four years.
The field of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is large and encompasses a lot of different concentrations. Students work with advanced technology and science in order to learn how to protect and defend the U.S. against threats.
In addition to the more popular areas of study, there are some less well-known fields. One niche area is Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense. This major will teach you how to protect America's food chain. Damage to the food source in America can cause illness or death as well as economic loss. These students are taught how to monitor food sources for disease and learn practical knowledge in food, animal, and plant security.
Another major you could enter is Geospatial Intelligence. Students will learn how to use geospatial technology to measure and analyze safety risks, as well as monitor for problems. This crucial information saves lives during a disaster and is used in disaster response and recovery, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection.
Public Health Preparedness is another option you could choose to follow. Your classes will teach you how to respond to man-made and natural disasters. This will be done both effectively and efficiently as you keep your cool when working through a health catastrophe.
A degree in Other Homeland Security explores Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services, Other.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, other homeland security is a widely-pursued major, with 1,211 degrees awarded annually. 64 colleges award other homeland security degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 122.
By level, the 1,211 awards include 139 certificates, 112 associate degrees, 509 bachelor’s degrees, 436 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 40% of other homeland security degrees and certificates in the latest year (486 of 1,211). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (678) and Hispanic or Latino (233), and international students earned 22.
College Factual ranks 28 schools in its 2027 Best Other Homeland Security Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees, 13 for bachelor’s degrees and 8 for master’s degrees. It also ranks other homeland security schools within 15 states. In all, 64 colleges offer other homeland security programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Other Homeland Security Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common other homeland security credential is the bachelor’s degree: 509 of the 1,211 awarded in the latest year.
Students in this field need a global outlook with a desire to protect America. Be aware of current issues and national trends. Interpersonal skills will help lead you to success as you work with all types of people, listen and understand their perspectives.
It is also important that you are able to react in a time of emergency in a calm and confident manner. People will turn to you to help protect society and return order. This major will prepare you to serve as a leader in society. A variety of advanced knowledge will need to be applied to different scenarios. You should be able to take theories and ideas from class and use them in real life situations.
How long an other homeland security degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 139 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 112 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 509 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 436 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Graduates can find work in a variety of settings. Those who study Agriculture Biosecurity and Food Defense can become food scientists and technologists, plant managers, or quality control managers. Geospatial Intelligence may lead to a career in geospatial analysis, imagery analysis, intelligence analysis, or a GEOINT data specialist. Grads who choose to major in Public Health Preparedness can work in health services, disaster recovery, education, policy planning, public health, or emergency management. Other majors prepare you for various careers in homeland security.
Other Homeland Security graduates earn a median $55,723 one year after completing their program, $77,451 after four years and $70,909 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,723 |
| 4 years | $77,451 |
| 5 years | $70,909 |
Source: College Scorecard.
Other Homeland Security includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (1,211). It has 4 similar majors in the Law Enforcement & Firefighting field, which together award 133,907 degrees a year; the largest are Criminal Justice and Corrections (100,497), Fire Protection (16,265) and Security Science and Technology (10,534). Browse all Law Enforcement & Firefighting majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | 1,211 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 100,497 |
| Fire Protection | 16,265 |
| Security Science and Technology | 10,534 |
| Homeland Security | 6,611 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
