WhatGradsMake
Associate-5% vs national median340 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services at Western Dakota Technical College

Ranked 195th of 359 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,082
middle 50%: $28,687 – $49,764
Median · 5 years out
$50,940
middle 50%: $39,097 – $62,543
Median · 10 years out
$62,487
middle 50%: $48,171 – $72,856

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 Western Dakota Technical College's associate program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $38,082 one year after graduating, rising to $62,487 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $53,511 for this field, ranking 195th 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
8.1 yrs
≈ $9,420 total interest

Same major at other universities

James A. Rhodes State College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Eastfield College
$51,125 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$51,109 · 5 yrs out
Kishwaukee College
$51,028 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
$51,024 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State College Southeast
$50,975 · 5 yrs out
Ulster County Community College
$50,881 · 5 yrs out
Delgado Community College
$50,566 · 5 yrs out
Angelina College
$50,477 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Bend College
$50,381 · 5 yrs out
Erie Community College
$50,339 · 5 yrs out
Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical Colg at Baton Rouge
$50,311 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Dakota Technical College

Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$56,363 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$53,040 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$52,989 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,947 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate)
$50,791 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$50,197 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$49,855 · 5 yrs out

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