WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median805 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at University of South Dakota

Ranked 135th of 251 bachelor's programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,163
middle 50%: $28,745 – $48,099
Median · 5 years out
$54,398
middle 50%: $42,814 – $67,469
Median · 10 years out
$65,986
middle 50%: $53,098 – $87,119

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 University of South Dakota's bachelor's program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $38,163 one year after graduating, rising to $65,986 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $58,186 for this field, ranking 135th 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
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,018 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Alabama
$54,894 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Tyler
$54,876 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
$54,771 · 5 yrs out
Anderson University
$54,757 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Wesleyan University
$54,656 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
$54,439 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at University of South Dakota

Medicine (Doctorate)
$232,751 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$136,818 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's)
$116,358 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$107,201 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,450 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$89,791 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$89,516 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$87,051 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$83,134 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$77,249 · 5 yrs out

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