2027 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,964 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,964 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,200 in student loans. 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.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $28,059 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $67,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,784 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Delta College earn a median of $44,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,379. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,506 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $51,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,506 median debt.
Kellogg Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mott Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. 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 placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. 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.
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,694 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $57,015. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,912. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ferris State University earned the #14 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,880. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,266. Set against $21,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Lake Michigan College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,445, 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. Set against $14,473 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,851. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $53,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirtland Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,333 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,828 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,705. That is a strong return on a $24,828 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wayne County Community College District earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, with out-of-state students paying around $4,067. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $20,820. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value 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, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,824 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $40,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bay De Noc Community College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Bay De Noc Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Escanaba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,075. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $28,604. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,920. That is a strong return on a $28,604 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Lake Superior State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,774. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $44,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Michigan University earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,844. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $38,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 35 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.