Associate+9% vs national median750 grads tracked
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at Southern Maine Community College
Ranked 100th of 359 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$39,334
middle 50%: $27,409 – $57,734
Median · 5 years out
$58,189
middle 50%: $41,006 – $77,940
Median · 10 years out
$69,946
middle 50%: $51,556 – $90,975
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
Protective services graduates earn a median $39k in year one. Earnings reach $70k by year ten.
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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,512 total interest
Same major at other universities
Massachusetts Bay Community College
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
$58,787 · 5 yrs out
Southwestern Oregon Community College
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Pueblo Community College
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
Holyoke Community College
$57,946 · 5 yrs out
Springfield Technical Community College
$57,895 · 5 yrs out
Hocking Technical College
$57,852 · 5 yrs out
Mountain View College
$57,805 · 5 yrs out
Kirkwood Community College
$57,769 · 5 yrs out
Northern Essex Community College
$57,652 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Southern Maine Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$69,033 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$66,921 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,124 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$57,991 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$57,552 · 5 yrs out
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Associate)
$57,248 · 5 yrs out