Associate+40% vs national median460 grads tracked
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at College of Lake County
Ranked 14th of 359 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$43,658
middle 50%: $28,969 – $101,595
Median · 5 years out
$74,872
middle 50%: $47,119 – $122,340
Median · 10 years out
$93,187
middle 50%: $57,619 – $136,782
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Homeland Security graduates command a $44k median salary in year one. By year 10, earnings reach $93k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
5.9 yrs
≈ $7,004 total interest
Same major at other universities
Colorado Mesa University
$84,259 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Midland College
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Tarrant County College District
$76,921 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$75,070 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$74,577 · 5 yrs out
Collin County Community College District
$74,055 · 5 yrs out
Redlands Community College
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$72,156 · 5 yrs out
McHenry County College
$71,823 · 5 yrs out
Rogue Community College
$71,823 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at College of Lake County
Fire Protection (Associate)
$112,340 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$95,590 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$86,717 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$80,647 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$78,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,582 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$74,878 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out