by our College Data Analytics TeamHomeland Security was the 258th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 3,012 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 16.6% increase in homeland security degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 2,511.
Our 2023 Best Homeland Security Schools ranking analyzes 51 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for homeland security students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of homeland security programs later in this article.
Homeland Security majors are found most commonly in careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is important. Required skills include talking to others to convey information effectively and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific homeland security careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of homeland security degrees. Homeland Security programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest homeland security degree you can get. The type of homeland security degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to homeland security, with approximately 50.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for homeland security workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 43.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 16.0% |
| High School Diploma | 14.0% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.2% |
| Some College Courses | 8.2% |
About 72.5% of workers in careers related to homeland security obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in homeland security have received.
The education level required is different depending on the homeland security career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your homeland security degree? Homeland Security careers are expected to grow 7.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to homeland security.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | 111,600 | 6.6% |
| Emergency Management Directors | 10,900 | 7.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for homeland security graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for homeland security graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers homeland security grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Police and Detective Supervisors | $93,100 |
| Emergency Management Directors | $82,570 |
With over 202 different homeland security degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased homeland security school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Homeland Security area of study, Homeland Security has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management | 2,709 |
| Critical Infrastructure Protection | 978 |
| Other Homeland Security | 228 |
| Terrorism & Counterterrorism Operations | 213 |
