2026 Best Value Critical Infrastructure Protection Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for critical infrastructure protection students.
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2026 Best Value Critical Infrastructure Protection Schools in the Southwest Region
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 New Mexico State University Dona Ana, our #1 best value for critical infrastructure protection in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the critical infrastructure protection program here. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sam Houston State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value critical infrastructure protection schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for critical infrastructure protection graduates is $24,850. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $61,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values for critical infrastructure protection. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Critical Infrastructure Protection graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career critical infrastructure protection graduates make about $66,287. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
