Homeland Security at University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,103/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (142,400 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #22 of 29 Homeland Security programs

Program Analysis

The earnings profile for Homeland Security graduates from the University of Arizona reflects a strong regional labor market influence rather than the national average for this major. In Tucson, many graduates find initial roles with federal agencies like Border Patrol, or within state and local law enforcement. These critical public service positions are vital to regional security but often begin with compensation structured differently than federal intelligence roles or private sector security consulting jobs found in larger, more diverse metropolitan markets. Your career path here could lean heavily into frontline operations or local emergency management. To maximize your earning potential, you should actively seek internships with federal agencies or defense contractors during your studies and be prepared to geographical mobility post-graduation, or to pursue specialized certifications that distinguish you in a competitive, localized job market.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Homeland Security graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $566K $561K $518K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.4x 10.3x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,504
Out-of-state: $164,380 (3.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,840
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,101
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,515
77% growth from Year 1

About University of Arizona

A 86% acceptance rate means University of Arizona is accessible to most applicants, with 40,769 students enrolled in Tucson, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arizona →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980/yr
Emergency management directors $86,130/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Homeland Security at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Arizona

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Arizona's Homeland Security program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Homeland Security. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Homeland Security earnings lower at University of Arizona?
Lower starting pay at University of Arizona may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →