College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

239 Ranked Colleges
39,822 Degrees Awarded
$4,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 142,610 people earned their degree in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting, making the major the 12th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $37,355 and had an average of $25,230 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 39,822 homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,660 and $27,965 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 239 colleges that offered a degree in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 239 schools in the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UF is $65 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UF Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Georgia Technical College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Georgia Technical College is a public institution located in Americus, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 206 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k list, South Georgia Technical College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $340 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Georgia Technical College.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at South Georgia Technical College

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 707 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $4,950 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State University Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

4

Out of the 239 schools in the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Hillsborough Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 446 diplomas to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

HCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hillsborough Community College is $2,919 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full HCC Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 711 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also took the #5 spot in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,468 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Central Florida Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

6
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Pierce, Florida. It awarded 257 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Indian River State College is also in the top of our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $2,686 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indian River State College Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

7

Florida International University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 744 students in 2020-2021.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $3,196 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida International University Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

8
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 574 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Valencia College also made our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Valencia College is $4,942 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Valencia College Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

9

Georgia Northwestern Technical College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a public institution located in Rome, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 82 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Northwestern Technical College is $306 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Georgia Northwestern Technical College

10

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Valdosta, Georgia, this small public school handed out 80 degrees to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is $1,613 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

11
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

Palm Beach State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Palm Beach State College is a public institution located in Lake Worth, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 293 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,452 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Palm Beach State College.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Palm Beach State College

12
CGTC crest
Central Georgia Technical College
Warner Robins, Georgia

Central Georgia Technical College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Warner Robins, Georgia, this medium-sized public school awarded 176 diplomas to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Georgia Technical College is $1,458 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Central Georgia Technical College Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

13

With a ranking of #13, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa excels when it comes to homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at University of South Florida - Main Campus

14

Albany Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Albany Technical College is a small public school situated in Albany, Georgia. It awarded 184 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Albany Technical College is $84 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Albany Technical College Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

15
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 1,997 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University also took the #3 spot in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $9,660 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full American Military University Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

16
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 90 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $8,303 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UGA Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

17
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. St Petersburg College is a large public school situated in Clearwater, Florida. It awarded 436 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SPC is $676 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at SPC

18

With a ranking of #18, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.

The Citadel not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,451 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The Citadel.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNF is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 220 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UNF also did well on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNF is $4,367 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNF Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

20

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 225 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

Northern Virginia Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Northern Virginia Community College

21
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 401 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k list, FAU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $6,726 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Florida Atlantic University Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Report

22

The University of West Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. The University of West Florida is a fairly large school located in Pensacola, Florida that handed out 85 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $4,288 for southeast region homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at UWF

23

Savannah Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Savannah Tech is a small public school situated in Savannah, Georgia. It awarded 102 ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Savannah Tech is $4,401 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Savannah Technical College

24
North Georgia Technical College crest
North Georgia Technical College
Clarkesville, Georgia

North Georgia Technical College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Georgia Technical College is a public institution located in Clarkesville, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Georgia Technical College is $2,707 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at North Georgia Technical College

25
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school handed out 71 degrees to qualified ’s homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $4,632 for Southeast Region Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting at Northern Kentucky University

Rest of the Best 36 in Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 36 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
28
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
29
FGC crest
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, Florida
30
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina
31
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
32
33
34
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina
35
36
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options