WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-26% vs national median206 grads tracked

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

Ranked 73rd of 90 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,884
middle 50%: $25,265 – $43,987
Median · 5 years out
$42,846
middle 50%: $33,572 – $55,653
Median · 10 years out
$46,994
middle 50%: $34,289 – $64,402

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $33,884 one year after graduating, rising to $46,994 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 26% below the national median of $57,619 for this field, ranking 73rd of 90 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
10 yrs
≈ $11,538 total interest

Same major at other universities

Mineral Area College
$44,640 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 7
$44,624 · 5 yrs out
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
$44,398 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Illinois College
$43,722 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 13
$43,588 · 5 yrs out
Mountain Gateway Community College
$43,216 · 5 yrs out
Clackamas Community College
$42,660 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 2
$42,371 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Central College
$42,146 · 5 yrs out
Wytheville Community College
$41,733 · 5 yrs out
Southside Virginia Community College
$41,501 · 5 yrs out
Northern Wyoming Community College District
$41,357 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southwest Virginia Community College

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Certificate)
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$61,216 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate)
$60,696 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$57,094 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$56,642 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$52,698 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,537 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$51,441 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Certificate)
$50,591 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$50,183 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$48,943 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$48,487 · 5 yrs out

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