2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 183 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the Great Lakes Region. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,868 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $49,224 early in their careers. Set against $11,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,120. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,763. Set against $9,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $67,732. Set against $28,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $91,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,125 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,149. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,149 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
Lake Land College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,769. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $26,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,782. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $50,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,700. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $13,506 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $51,664. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #17 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. 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 $25,000. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oakton Community College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,750. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Students from in state pay about $5,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,379. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,834. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Delta College earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,784. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $44,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,471 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $24,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Elgin Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,328. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
Narrow Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools by State
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 183 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 183 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.
