WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)0% vs national median151 grads tracked

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other at Northern Virginia Community College

Ranked 3rd of 7 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$43,768
middle 50%: $27,387 – $70,557
Median · 5 years out
$56,473
middle 50%: $41,393 – $80,624
Median · 10 years out
$72,946
middle 50%: $53,696 – $100,994

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Northern Virginia Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other earn a median $43,768 one year after graduating, rising to $72,946 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 0% above the national median of $56,473 for this field, ranking 3rd of 7 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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,150 total interest

Same major at other universities

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii - West Oahu
$58,956 · 5 yrs out
Piedmont Virginia Community College
$51,929 · 5 yrs out
Portland Community College
$51,694 · 5 yrs out
Wytheville Community College
$43,647 · 5 yrs out
Southwest Virginia Community College
$37,867 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Virginia Community College

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,430 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Certificate)
$103,697 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Certificate)
$95,510 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades, General (Associate)
$95,189 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$92,628 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Certificate)
$88,826 · 5 yrs out
Surveying Engineering (Certificate)
$88,826 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$87,210 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$86,799 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Associate)
$86,785 · 5 yrs out

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