[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 542 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,964. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,119. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex Community College Bedford earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,950. 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.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,868. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $49,224. That is a strong return on a $11,868 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,844. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $29,547. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Oxnard College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Joliet Junior College earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santa Ana College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $53,847. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $31,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,617. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Yuba College landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $62,350. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,191. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $28,492 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $22,722. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,457 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $37,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,457 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
The ranking above is published 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 · 542 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 542 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
