2026 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
Florida International University tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $78,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $18,726. Homeland Security graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $45,580 early in their careers. Set against $18,726 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #3 spot 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 $19,552 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $62,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at Elizabeth City State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. 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. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #6 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
New Jersey City University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $14,562 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $39,624. Set against $14,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #9 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $28,343. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $38,307. That is a strong return on a $28,343 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #10 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,722 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $50,963. Set against $22,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah State University landed the #11 spot for homeland security value this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Set against $31,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #12 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,465 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Angelo State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $46,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #14 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $17,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $44,969. That is a strong return on a $17,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #15 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $25,355 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,090. That is a strong return on a $25,355 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #16 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,262. Homeland Security graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville landed the #17 spot for homeland security value this year. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,605. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $13,587. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.
Columbia Southern University landed the #18 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,224. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $32,683. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $62,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton earned the #19 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,617. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $48,753. That is a strong return on a $24,617 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Jacksonville State University landed the #20 spot for homeland security value this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Students borrow a median of $24,751 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $90,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #22 position for value in homeland security this year. 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, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $61,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #23 for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #24 spot for homeland security value 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. Homeland Security graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Idaho State University placed #25 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security:
Other Homeland Security Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Homeland Security rankings across degree levels:
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 · 352 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
