WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+10% vs national median217 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at Elgin Community College

Ranked 24th of 90 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,215
middle 50%: $26,983 – $51,142
Median · 5 years out
$63,522
middle 50%: $46,891 – $95,349
Median · 10 years out
$83,557
middle 50%: $62,075 – $117,867

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Elgin Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $36,215 one year after graduating, rising to $83,557 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 10% above the national median of $57,619 for this field, ranking 24th of 90 reporting programs.

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
6.9 yrs
≈ $8,376 total interest

Same major at other universities

Mountwest Community and Technical College
$68,564 · 5 yrs out
Community College of Aurora
$66,500 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Saint Louis Community College
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$65,723 · 5 yrs out
Aims Community College
$65,177 · 5 yrs out
Oakton College
$62,620 · 5 yrs out
Germanna Community College
$61,498 · 5 yrs out
Mountain View College
$61,198 · 5 yrs out
Sinclair Community College
$61,036 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
$60,590 · 5 yrs out
Richland Community College
$59,517 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Elgin Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$79,834 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,251 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$75,786 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$75,752 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$75,598 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$69,841 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$68,521 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$67,887 · 5 yrs out

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