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2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in California

[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Homeland Security Schools in California

2026 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Homeland Security Schools

1

National University
San Diego, CA

$13,284 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,450 Avg Student Debt

$67,548 Median Earnings (10yr)

National University earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security schools in California. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Students borrow a median of $23,450 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of National University earn a median of $63,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,450 median debt.

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

$71,647 In-State Tuition & Fees

$15,625 Avg Student Debt

$92,498 Median Earnings (10yr)

A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern California one of the best values for homeland security. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

View All Homeland Security Rankings >

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 · 16 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.