2027 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Southeast Region
[Homeland Security](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Homeland Security Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools in the Southeast Region. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Richmond Community College one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for homeland security. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $78,638. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the homeland security program here. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Palm Beach State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $12,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $42,501. Set against $12,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #8 spot for homeland security value this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
American Public University System ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #10 for value in homeland security this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $34,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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.
Savannah State University landed the #12 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $31,576. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.
Western Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in homeland security this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $28,343. Homeland Security graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $38,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for homeland security. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute landed the #16 spot for homeland security value this year. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the homeland security program here. Homeland Security graduates of Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute earn a median of $44,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #17 among the best values for homeland security. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $31,919. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $78,275. Set against $31,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $25,355. Homeland Security graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $54,236 early in their careers. Set against $25,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Jacksonville State University landed the #19 spot for homeland security value 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. Homeland Security graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,249. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #21 spot for homeland security value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $53,824. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia Southern University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. 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. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Columbia Southern University generally make around $73,839. That is a strong return on a $32,683 median debt.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #23 position for value in homeland security this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $28,061. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $42,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $21,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $114,896. Set against $21,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University placed #25 among the best values for homeland security. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $26,064. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. That is a strong return on a $26,064 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Homeland Security Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
