by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,940 U.S. colleges awarded 135,118 degrees and certificates in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,390 schools in its 2027 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $41,994 one year after completing, rising to $55,797 after four years.
The field of Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting is an important one and has been in high demand since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This field allows you to be trained in a variety of national defense areas, preparing you for work protecting your country and fellow citizens.
There are a few different majors you can pursue in this field. Criminal Justice and Corrections will teach you about prison life, drug trafficking, and law, preparing you for work with criminals and the reformation system. A major in Fire Protection will provide training on preventing and stopping fires. You can also choose to major in Homeland Security in order to learn how to prevent and respond to threats and crisis internationally and domestically.
A major in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting involves the study of "homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Principles And Procedures For Providing Homeland Security, Police, Fire, And Other Safety Services And Managing Penal Institutions. Note: This Series Is Titled Security And Protective Services"" In The Canadian Cip.""".
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting is a widely-pursued major, with 135,118 degrees awarded annually. 1,940 colleges award homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees, an average of 70 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,977.
By level, the 135,118 awards include 8,090 certificates, 27,783 associate degrees, 53,899 bachelor’s degrees, 42,700 master’s degrees and 468 doctorates.
Women earned 48% of homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees and certificates in the latest year (64,683 of 135,118). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (60,929) and Hispanic or Latino (37,663), and international students earned 1,329.
College Factual ranks 1,390 schools in its 2027 Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking, including 543 for associate degrees, 680 for bachelor’s degrees, 220 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools within 53 states. In all, 1,940 colleges offer homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting credential is the bachelor’s degree: 53,899 of the 135,118 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Law and Government, English Language and Public Safety and Security, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Problem Sensitivity.
Leadership skills will help you during your training and in a future career. In a time of crisis, citizens will count on you to keep them safe. You must be able to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations and thrive when under. Interpersonal skills will help you work with all types of people of different ages and backgrounds. Be ready to listen to the concerns and advice of others, and also be able to explain laws and policies.
Most of the classes in this field are centered on science, math, government and law. Students should be comfortable with their math and science skills and ready to discuss potentially controversial subjects in the classroom. This rigorous major may also include physical training to prepare you to react in dangerous situations.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8,090 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 27,783 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 53,899 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 42,700 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 468 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, at 31.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 26.5% |
| Some college courses | 12.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.8% |
| Master’s degree | 4.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
30 occupations are related to Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting, with an average median salary of $84,091; the strongest outlook belongs to First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, at 15.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Investigator, Law Enforcement Specialist, Criminalist and Crime Scene Investigator (CSI).
Depending on your major focus, you will be able to work in numerous fields. Graduates find work in fields like fraud detection, medicine, human resources, civil rights, intelligence, science and technology, facilities, and procurement. You will also be prepared for law enforcement careers in the areas of border security, head of state, protection of the President, interagency law enforcement training, and infrastructure security. If interested in prevention and response careers, you can find jobs protecting the public and the environment as a U.S. Coast Guard member or firefighter. Some career choices may require additional education or training.
The occupation related to homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Police Identification and Records Officers | 532,882 | 7.1% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 514,818 | 8.7% |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates earn a median $41,994 one year after completing their program, $55,797 after four years and $51,269 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $41,994 |
| 4 years | $55,797 |
| 5 years | $51,269 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting includes 5 concentrations that together award 135,118 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Criminal Justice and Corrections (100,497), Fire Protection (16,265) and Security Science and Technology (10,534). Browse the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 100,497 |
| Fire Protection | 16,265 |
| Security Science and Technology | 10,534 |
| Homeland Security | 6,611 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | 1,211 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
