WhatGradsMake
Associate+35% vs national median137 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at Montana State University - Billings

Ranked 18th of 359 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,892
middle 50%: $31,171 – $59,048
Median · 5 years out
$72,156
middle 50%: $42,912 – $90,757
Median · 10 years out
$86,835
middle 50%: $72,242 – $99,793

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

Graduates of Montana State University - Billings's associate program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $43,892 one year after graduating, rising to $86,835 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 35% above the national median of $53,511 for this field, ranking 18th of 359 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
6.1 yrs
≈ $7,120 total interest

Same major at other universities

Tarrant County College District
$76,921 · 5 yrs out
Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
$75,070 · 5 yrs out
College of Lake County
$74,872 · 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
McHenry County College
$71,823 · 5 yrs out
Rogue Community College
$71,823 · 5 yrs out
Moraine Valley Community College
$71,566 · 5 yrs out
Lone Star College System
$70,944 · 5 yrs out
Pikes Peak State College
$70,713 · 5 yrs out
Mountwest Community and Technical College
$69,994 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Montana State University - Billings

Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$116,034 · 5 yrs out
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology (Master's)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$73,442 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$73,402 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$72,436 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$70,722 · 5 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's)
$68,626 · 5 yrs out
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (Master's)
$66,251 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$65,854 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor's)
$65,307 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's)
$64,930 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,618 · 5 yrs out

Related fields of study

Criminal Justice and Corrections
Compare universities
Fire Protection
Compare universities
Homeland Security
Compare universities
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
Compare universities
Security Science and Technology
Compare universities