2026 Best Value Critical Infrastructure Protection Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Critical Infrastructure Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/critical-infrastructure-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value critical infrastructure protection schools.
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2026 Best Value Critical Infrastructure Protection Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in critical infrastructure protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Critical Infrastructure Protection Schools
Leading the list is University Of Alaska Fairbanks, our #1 best value for critical infrastructure protection in the United States. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $22,722. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $22,722 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas Tech University earned it the #2 place for critical infrastructure protection. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,355 to complete the critical infrastructure protection program here. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Southern University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value critical infrastructure protection schools. Set in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $32,683. Soon after graduation, critical infrastructure protection degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $62,313. Set against $32,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in critical infrastructure protection will find it at Sam Houston State University, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, critical infrastructure protection degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $61,091. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the best values for critical infrastructure protection. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $90,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Idaho State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value critical infrastructure protection schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, critical infrastructure protection degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #7 for value in critical infrastructure protection this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates carry a median of $32,807 in student loans. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $53,752 early in their careers. Set against $32,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waldorf College landed the #8 spot for critical infrastructure protection value this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,978 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $23,437. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $66,446. Set against $23,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Utica College earned the #9 position for value in critical infrastructure protection this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $27,846. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $57,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #10 for value in critical infrastructure protection this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, critical infrastructure protection degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $51,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Providence landed the #11 spot for critical infrastructure protection value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates carry a median of $26,350 in student loans. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $45,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Other Critical Infrastructure Protection Degree Levels
Explore the best-value critical infrastructure protection schools at other degree levels:
View All Critical Infrastructure Protection 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
