2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Michigan
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 55 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 Michigan
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
Lansing Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,700. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $26,336. That is a strong return on a $15,200 median debt.
Oakland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot 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, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,506. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delta College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $9,784 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $44,637. That is a strong return on a $9,784 median debt.
Schoolcraft College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $49,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
Kellogg Community College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwestern Michigan College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,694. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $57,015. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,781. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $34,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jackson Community College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $39,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Students borrow a median of $20,820 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay De Noc Community College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214, compared with $11,453 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Bay De Noc Community College generally make around $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,880 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $48,266. That is a strong return on a $21,880 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kirtland Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,190, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,333 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $50,469. Set against $17,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,851 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $53,664. That is a strong return on a $11,851 median debt.
Oakland University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,828 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $35,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,828 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,445 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,185. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $35,912 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Lake Superior State University placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Students borrow a median of $18,774 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,274. Set against $18,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,824 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,049. That is a strong return on a $27,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $28,604. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $46,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,857. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 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. 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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
