2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Great Lakes 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 309 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 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
Moraine Valley Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Washtenaw Community College one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $28,059 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $67,732. Set against $28,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $15,200 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $26,336 early in their careers. Set against $15,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College earned the #6 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. Students borrow a median of $11,868 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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.
Oakland Community College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $13,506 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $31,763. That is a strong return on a $9,120 median debt.
North Central State College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $10,782 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,218. That is a strong return on a $10,782 median debt.
Macomb Community College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $6,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Delta College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,784. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,637. That is a strong return on a $9,784 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,939. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $57,015. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $30,166. That is a strong return on a $7,521 median debt.
Marion Technical College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:
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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 · 309 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 110 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.
