2027 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southeast Region

[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong crisis/emergency/disaster management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for crisis/emergency/disaster management students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the crisis/emergency/disaster management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2027 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools in the Southeast Region. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in crisis/emergency/disaster management will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $5,500. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabeth City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management, landing the #4 spot this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Palm Beach State College earned the #6 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #7 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $34,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System placed #8 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $16,339. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $69,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Savannah State University earned the #10 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #12 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,343 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,307 early in their careers. Set against $28,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute placed #13 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,528, while out-of-state students pay about $6,528. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $44,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $72,464. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #15 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $31,919 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $78,275. That is a strong return on a $31,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $25,355. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $54,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville State University came in at #17 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Southern University landed the #18 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. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $32,683 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $73,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University earned the #19 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $114,896. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lander University landed the #20 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $26,064. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Lander University earn a median of $37,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #21 position 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. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $20,500. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $48,676. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Leo University landed the #22 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Located in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,000. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $32,116. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $49,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,116 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #23 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $70,595. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #24 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $22,077. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.