2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Master’s Degree Schools
[Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/crisis-emergency-disaster-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 198 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools.
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2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in crisis/emergency/disaster management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for crisis/emergency/disaster management in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in crisis/emergency/disaster management will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $16,339. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $77,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #6 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $22,722. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,293 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $44,969. That is a strong return on a $17,293 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #9 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $25,355 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $65,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University came in at #10 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University landed the #11 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Columbia Southern University landed the #12 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $6,224. Students borrow a median of $32,683 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $85,364. That is a strong return on a $32,683 median debt.
American Intercontinental University Online placed #13 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $39,107. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $43,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University landed the #14 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $21,741 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $138,835 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $61,091. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide came in at #16 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $48,676 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #18 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $20,843. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $83,499. That is a strong return on a $20,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Southern California earned the #19 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #20 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University landed the #21 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $111,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Georgetown University came in at #22 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $16,483. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $81,481. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Other Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management rankings across degree levels:
View All Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
