2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Illinois
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 78 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Illinois
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 Moraine Valley Community College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,149. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Triton College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,289. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,663. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,939. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $25,842. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.
Kishwaukee College landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $10,328 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Students borrow a median of $11,161 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $77,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Wood Community College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Morton College came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,884 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Students borrow a median of $7,734 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,143. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,418. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $41,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,418 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mchenry County College placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,688. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Governors State University came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,889. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,456. That is a strong return on a $22,889 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value ranking:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
