[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1351 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
Finding the Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting School for You
Where you study homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,503. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,258. That is a strong return on a $11,503 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,964. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,268. Set against $11,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Middlesex County College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $10,950 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Schoolcraft College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,868. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,224. That is a strong return on a $11,868 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Joliet Junior College earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,995. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Yuba College placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,729. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $62,350. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Indian River State College earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,838. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,838 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,917 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,029. That is a strong return on a $14,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Ventura College placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,625. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,710. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,763. That is a strong return on a $13,710 median debt.
College Of The Mainland placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,928. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $48,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Modesto Junior College placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $29,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value ranking:
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 · 1351 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1,351 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).
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
