WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median1,857 grads tracked

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

Ranked 142nd of 251 bachelor's programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,964
middle 50%: $28,791 – $56,050
Median · 5 years out
$53,904
middle 50%: $42,910 – $67,759
Median · 10 years out
$61,271
middle 50%: $47,687 – $80,219

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $41,964 one year after graduating, rising to $61,271 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $58,186 for this field, ranking 142nd of 251 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
7.6 yrs
≈ $8,640 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Alabama at Birmingham
$54,396 · 5 yrs out
Roanoke College
$54,342 · 5 yrs out
Utah Tech University
$54,238 · 5 yrs out
Kennesaw State University
$54,181 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Victoria
$54,178 · 5 yrs out
Ball State University
$54,032 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$53,857 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$53,842 · 5 yrs out
Ferrum College
$53,793 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Gwinnett College
$53,767 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern State University
$53,696 · 5 yrs out
Truman State University
$53,634 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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