2027 Best Value Homeland Security Associate’s Degree Schools
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security students.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Homeland Security Schools
Middlesex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $9,514. Homeland Security graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for homeland security. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laredo Community College earned it the #4 place for homeland security. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at New Mexico State University Dona Ana, which ranked #5. 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. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $10,284. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Richmond Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $13,125. Homeland Security graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,895.
Central Texas College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Idaho State University came in at #10 for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute landed the #11 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,528, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $8,750. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $42,663. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt.
Columbia Southern University placed #13 among the best values for homeland security. Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,224. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $32,683. Homeland Security graduates of Columbia Southern University earn a median of $73,839 early in their careers. Set against $32,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville earned the #14 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,605. Students borrow a median of $13,587 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $29,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Intercontinental University Online earned the #15 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $39,107. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Waldorf College came in at #16 for value in homeland security this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $66,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Cambridge Institute Of Health And Technology earned the #17 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Delray Beach, Cambridge Institute Of Health And Technology is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,652. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Cambridge Institute Of Health And Technology generally make around $34,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Homeland Security Degree Levels
Explore the best-value homeland security schools at other degree levels:
View All Homeland Security Rankings >
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
