Security Science and Technology Degree
Students study the technological and scientific methods used to protect people, information, and physical assets, including cybersecurity, surveillance systems, and risk assessment. Graduates typically pursue careers in cybersecurity, corporate security management, security technology companies, and government agencies focused on protecting critical infrastructure. The growing threat landscape in both cyber and physical security drives strong demand and competitive compensation.
What Security Science and Technology Graduates Do
You could find yourself leading a corporate security team, setting risk-mitigation strategies and managing budgets. Or, you might be on the digital front lines as an information security analyst, actively hunting for network vulnerabilities and responding to cyberattacks in real-time. Many graduates also apply their analytical skills to financial security, working as auditors to trace illicit transactions and prevent large-scale fraud.
Typically, you’ll begin in a hands-on analyst or auditor role before advancing to lead teams and oversee strategy. The demand for information security analysts is growing exceptionally fast, creating a clear path for advancement. In contrast, traditional law enforcement roles like detective are experiencing much slower growth.
AI's impact is significant across these fields. In high-growth cyber roles, AI is fundamentally reshaping the work. It will handle routine threat detection, so your value shifts to architecting AI-powered defenses and making critical judgment calls during a breach. For most other paths, expect AI to automate chunks of routine data analysis, meaning your day-to-day will focus more on strategy and complex problem-solving. Adaptability is essential.
Common Career Paths
Where Security Science and Technology graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 385,000 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | 106,700 | +4.5% | 47% | |
| Information security analysts | 16,000 | +28.5% | 65% | |
| Computer occupations, all other | 31,300 | +8.2% | 57% | |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | 10,900 | +2.9% | 33% | |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | 7,800 | -0.7% | 53% | |
| Financial examiners | 5,700 | +18.5% | 50% | |
| Accountants and auditors | 124,200 | +4.6% | 56% | |
| Cartographers and photogrammetrists | 1,000 | +6.4% | 52% | |
| Police and sheriff's patrol officers | 53,700 | +3.1% | 45% | |
| First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other | 2,100 | +1.6% | 0% | |
| Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary | 1,200 | +2.0% | 50% | |
| Forensic science technicians | 2,900 | +12.8% | 39% | |
| Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other | 10,600 | +3.5% | 55% | |
| First-line supervisors of security workers | 7,000 | +2.7% | 40% | |
| Private detectives and investigators | 3,900 | +6.0% | 39% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Security Science and Technology
Top 20 of 41 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD |
70 58–70 |
$47,496/yr | 22.4x |
| 2 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY |
67 54–67 |
$44,092/yr | 20.9x |
| 3 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA |
65 56–65 |
$69,872/yr | 5.4x |
| 4 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL |
64 54–65 |
$58,249/yr | 24.7x |
| 5 | Champlain College Burlington, VT |
63 55–63 |
$70,586/yr | 3.9x |
| 6 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV |
62 50–62 |
$49,622/yr | 14.7x |
| 7 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology Beckley, WV |
62 49–62 |
$44,255/yr | 16.1x |
| 8 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY |
62 50–63 |
$38,789/yr | 17.4x |
| 9 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV |
60 47–60 |
$44,255/yr | 13.3x |
| 10 | Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN |
59 47–60 |
$44,718/yr | 12.3x |
| 11 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK |
59 46–59 |
$38,710/yr | 15.4x |
| 12 | Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX |
58 45–58 |
$38,792/yr | 11.2x |
| 13 | Miami University-Hamilton Hamilton, OH |
57 44–57 |
$43,918/yr | 14.1x |
| 14 | Miami University-Middletown Middletown, OH |
57 44–57 |
$43,918/yr | 14.1x |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI |
55 43–56 |
$38,013/yr | 14.1x |
| 16 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NE |
53 40–53 |
$42,104/yr | 10.8x |
| 17 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ |
53 41–54 |
$37,481/yr | 8.0x |
| 18 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE |
52 43–53 |
$29,231/yr | 13.5x |
| 19 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN |
51 38–51 |
$39,956/yr | 9.5x |
| 20 | Glenville State University Glenville, WV |
51 39–52 |
$38,237/yr | 11.4x |
Highest Earning Security Science and Technology Programs
Schools where Security Science and Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| Champlain College | $70,586/yr | 63 |
| Robert Morris University | $69,872/yr | 65 |
| Florida State University | $58,249/yr | 64 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | $55,259/yr | 50 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | $55,259/yr | 50 |
| Loyola University Chicago | $51,202/yr | 47 |
| American Public University System | $49,622/yr | 62 |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | $47,496/yr | 70 |
| Chestnut Hill College | $46,079/yr | 46 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $44,718/yr | 59 |
Best ROI for Security Science and Technology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Security Science and Technology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | 24.7x | $58,249/yr | 64 |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | 22.4x | $47,496/yr | 70 |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 20.9x | $44,092/yr | 67 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | 19.2x | $28,173/yr | 51 |
| Farmingdale State College | 17.4x | $38,789/yr | 62 |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | 16.1x | $44,255/yr | 62 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | 15.4x | $38,710/yr | 59 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | 15.2x | $23,495/yr | 51 |
| American Public University System | 14.7x | $49,622/yr | 62 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | 14.1x | $38,013/yr | 55 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
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.