WhatGradsMake
Associate-20% vs national median69 grads tracked

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

Ranked 16th of 18 associate programs in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,867
middle 50%: $25,070 – $52,636
Median · 5 years out
$42,555
middle 50%: $34,351 – $52,071
Median · 10 years out
$40,883
middle 50%: $35,926 – $53,520

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (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, Other earn a median $37,867 one year after graduating, rising to $40,883 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $53,181 for this field, ranking 16th of 18 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
10.1 yrs
≈ $11,114 total interest

Same major at other universities

Mountain Empire Community College
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$45,881 · 5 yrs out
Southside Virginia Community College
$45,881 · 5 yrs out
Central Virginia Community College
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Paul D. Camp Community College
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Southwest Virginia Community College
$42,709 · 5 yrs out
Wytheville Community College
$41,695 · 5 yrs out
Patrick & Henry Community College
$38,202 · 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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