Home › Washburn University › Security Science and Technology

Security Science and Technology at Washburn University

Topeka, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,252/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

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

ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #26 of 41 Security Science and Technology programs

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	$478K	$479K	$448K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	12.5x	11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.8x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	23%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	50	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,312

Out-of-state: $82,328 (5.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$52,184

-36% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,250

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,252 track close to the $40,284 national median for Security Science and Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 12.5x 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 — 46% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,250 debt-to-$39,252 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #26 out of 41 programs, Washburn University's financial outcomes for Security Science and Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Washburn University

with a smaller student body of 4,093 in Topeka, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Washburn University →

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

Other Majors at Washburn University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Washburn University's Security Science and Technology program score?

A score of 50/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Washburn University trails the majority of Security Science and Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

How vulnerable is Security Science and Technology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Security Science and Technology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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