WhatGradsMake
Associate-27% vs national median146 grads tracked

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

Ranked 346th of 359 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,208
middle 50%: $24,386 – $45,505
Median · 5 years out
$39,132
middle 50%: $31,645 – $46,179
Median · 10 years out
$40,793
middle 50%: $35,058 – $53,626

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 Virginia Highlands Community College's associate program in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services earn a median $32,208 one year after graduating, rising to $40,793 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 27% below the national median of $53,511 for this field, ranking 346th 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
11.3 yrs
≈ $12,975 total interest

Same major at other universities

Florence - Darlington Technical College
$40,012 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$39,998 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 7
$39,884 · 5 yrs out
State Fair Community College
$39,556 · 5 yrs out
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
$39,425 · 5 yrs out
Texarkana College
$39,163 · 5 yrs out
Cameron University
$38,692 · 5 yrs out
Three Rivers College
$38,610 · 5 yrs out
L. E. Fletcher Technical Community College
$38,509 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Gateway Community College
$38,331 · 5 yrs out
SOWELA Technical Community College
$38,170 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University - Parkersburg
$37,665 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Virginia Highlands Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$64,417 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$59,273 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$56,620 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$56,620 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$55,504 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$54,615 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$53,892 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$50,881 · 5 yrs out

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