Homeland Security at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,307/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (30% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (142,400 openings/yr)
ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 29 Homeland Security programs Top 50%

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 $561K $557K $514K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.7x 12.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,848
2% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,979
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,629
61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $38,307/yr fall 25% below the $51,121 national median for Homeland Security. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 13.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 30% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,979 debt-to-$38,307 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #12 out of 29 programs, Eastern Kentucky University's Homeland Security offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $38,307 to $61,629 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 11,674 in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University →

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 Eastern Kentucky University

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

How does Eastern Kentucky University's Homeland Security program score?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Homeland Security graduates.
Why are Homeland Security earnings lower at Eastern Kentucky University?
Lower starting pay at Eastern Kentucky University 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 →