2027 Best Value Homeland Security Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value homeland security schools.
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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
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for homeland security in the United States. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,545. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $85,268 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #4 place for homeland security. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. 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. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security will find it at University Of New Hampshire At Manchester, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,838, with out-of-state students paying around $36,418. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $51,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $16,339 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $77,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $21,620. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,722 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,722 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $23,399. Homeland Security graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Jacksonville State University earned the #10 position for value in homeland security this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $45,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia Southern University earned the #11 position for value in homeland security this year. 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. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $32,683 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $85,364. That is a strong return on a $32,683 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #12 for value in homeland security this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,700, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $44,249. That is a strong return on a $29,746 median debt. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Students borrow a median of $28,061 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $42,684 early in their careers. Set against $28,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #15 for value in homeland security 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. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $25,355. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $65,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for homeland security. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $138,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University placed #17 among the best values for homeland security. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $26,054. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $62,007. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
New Jersey City University earned the #18 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Students borrow a median of $14,562 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $39,624. Set against $14,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Lander University earned the #19 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Set against $26,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #20 position for value in homeland security this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $61,091. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #21 among the best values for homeland security. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $38,472. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online placed #22 among the best values for homeland security. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $39,107. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #23 spot for homeland security value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Homeland Security graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $48,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #24 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $85,563. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Utica College came in at #25 for value in homeland security this year. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Utica College earn a median of $86,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Homeland Security Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security this year:
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. 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
