WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-24% vs national median122 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other at Western Illinois University

Ranked 8th of 9 bachelor's programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,041
middle 50%: $27,444 – $51,480
Median · 5 years out
$61,827
middle 50%: $47,492 – $84,259
Median · 10 years out
$107,201
middle 50%: $61,121 – $129,686

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other earn a median $37,041 one year after graduating, rising to $107,201 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 24% below the national median of $81,403 for this field, ranking 8th of 9 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
6.8 yrs
≈ $8,340 total interest

Same major at other universities

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
$87,447 · 5 yrs out
Penn State World Campus
$81,403 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Missouri
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
University of New Haven
$68,802 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$68,420 · 5 yrs out
Savannah State University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out

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