WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-33% vs national median59 grads tracked

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

Ranked 7th 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
$32,687
middle 50%: $24,420 – $40,793
Median · 5 years out
$37,867
middle 50%: $30,314 – $49,073
Median · 10 years out
$43,948
middle 50%: $32,492 – $56,877

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 Southwest Virginia Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other earn a median $32,687 one year after graduating, rising to $43,948 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 33% below the national median of $56,473 for this field, ranking 7th 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
11.1 yrs
≈ $12,945 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Southwest Virginia Community College

Related fields of study