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Public Safety & Security · Security Science and Technology Rank #9 of 41

Security Science and Technologyat West Virginia University

Graduates earn $44,255/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Security Science and Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $478K to $521K depending on AI disruption.

Morgantown, WV Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
60 SOLID
60
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,255
1-year post-graduation
ROI
13.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$519K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
48% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at West Virginia University

West Virginia University's Security Science and Technology program stands out nationally, reflecting its strong curriculum and industry connections. This program uniquely blends technical security expertise with critical leadership and analytical skills, preparing you for diverse roles beyond purely technical implementation. You'll find graduates excelling in federal agencies, critical infrastructure protection, and corporate security management, leveraging their ability to understand and mitigate complex threats. While many tech roles face evolving AI risks, this program's emphasis on strategic oversight, human intelligence, and policy development cultivates skills less susceptible to automation. To maximize your prospects, actively pursue internships or co-ops; practical experience applying these varied security principles is invaluable for securing top positions upon graduation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$478K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple12.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$521K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to West Virginia University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Security Science and Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Information security analysts
+28.5% 10-yr growth · 16,000 openings/yr
$124,910/yr
High
3
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
4
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$105,980/yr
Moderate
5
Geographers
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$97,200/yr
High
6
Detectives and criminal investigators
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 7,800 openings/yr
$93,580/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Security Science and Technology

How West Virginia University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Champlain College
VT · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$71K
1-yr earn
3.9x
ROI
Robert Morris University
PA · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$70K
1-yr earn
5.4x
ROI
Florida State University
FL · Public
64
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
24.7x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
AZ · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
FL · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Also at West Virginia University

Other top programs at West Virginia University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at West Virginia University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Security Science and Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Security Science and Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Security Science and Technology at West Virginia University

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Security Science and Technology at West Virginia University?

At 60/100, West Virginia University's Security Science and Technology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Security Science and Technology at West Virginia University?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is West Virginia University one of the best schools for Security Science and Technology?

Among 41 Security Science and Technology programs, West Virginia University's #9 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.