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Security Science and Technology at West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,255/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (385,400 openings/yr)

ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #7 of 41 Security Science and Technology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$521K	$519K	$478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.2x	16.1x	14.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	23%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	62	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,256

Out-of-state: $80,480 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$39,828

-23% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,121

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,315

25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $44,255/yr, edging above the $40,284 national average for Security Science and Technology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Security Science and Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Security Science and Technology's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,121 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,255 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #7 of 41 nationally, this is a top-5% Security Science and Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $44,255 to $55,315 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University Institute of Technology

With a 61% acceptance rate, West Virginia University Institute of Technology is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 1,009 students in Beckley, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University Institute of Technology →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Information security analysts $124,910/yr

Computer occupations, all other $108,970/yr

View all 17 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Security Science and Technology at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Security Science and Technology at West Virginia University Institute of Technology?

A score of 62/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Security Science and Technology field.

Will AI replace Security Science and Technology careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $477,568 in decade earnings vs $521,122 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes West Virginia University Institute of Technology's Security Science and Technology program stand out?

Ranked #7 of 41 programs nationally, West Virginia University Institute of Technology lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →