2027 Best Value Homeland Security Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 7 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 The Plains States 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
For return on investment in homeland security, no school beat Barton County Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #2 spot this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,869 in student loans. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $54,209. That is a strong return on a $22,869 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,465 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $42,058. That is a strong return on a $21,465 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for homeland security graduates is $24,304. Homeland Security graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $45,496 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waldorf College earned it the #5 place for homeland security. Set in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $66,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Park University landed the #6 spot for homeland security value this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Homeland Security graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
National American University Rapid City placed #7 among the best values for homeland security. National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rapid City. Students from in state pay about $16,065 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,264 to complete the homeland security program here. Early-career homeland security graduates make about $47,873. That is a strong return on a $38,264 median debt.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
