2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Far Western Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 252 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Grossmont College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $57,185. That is a strong return on a $10,994 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $81,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,256. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $36,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,187. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,658. Set against $6,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gavilan College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $28,492. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,308. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $33,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $33,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $28,851. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $62,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $11,760 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $31,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,500. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,275. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $27,313 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 252 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
