[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security students.
Finding the Best Value Homeland Security School for You
The right homeland security school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Homeland Security Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Homeland Security Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in homeland security, no school beat Middlesex County College this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $12,678. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $16,478. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for homeland security. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Laredo Community College one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Wayne Community College came in at #6 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage placed #9 among the best values for homeland security. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Richmond Community College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $8,407. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #12 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $85,268. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Rio Salado College came in at #14 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #15 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University placed #16 among the best values for homeland security. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $19,349. Homeland Security graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $78,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #17 for value in homeland security this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Palm Beach State College came in at #18 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $12,518. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $42,501. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #19 among the best values for homeland security. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $34,351. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #20 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Set against $12,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System landed the #21 spot for homeland security value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $16,339 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $69,808. That is a strong return on a $16,339 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City landed the #22 spot for homeland security value this year. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $18,726. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $45,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $51,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #24 position for value in homeland security this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security 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.
Arizona Western College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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).
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
