[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 666 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $37,461. Set against $11,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,268. Set against $11,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $35,029. That is a strong return on a $14,917 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $45,976. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. 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 Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,402. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $43,496 early in their careers. Set against $11,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,570. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,644 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $34,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
St Petersburg College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,710 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,763. Set against $13,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,568. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,218. That is a strong return on a $9,568 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,202. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $44,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,811 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $59,237 early in their careers. Set against $15,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $39,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Northridge ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $34,870. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Dalton State College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,550. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,599. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Northwest placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,471. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,295. Set against $24,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $48,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University East Bay came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $45,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,256 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,092. Set against $12,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,745. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $38,606. Set against $13,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 666 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 666 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
