2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Ohio
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 105 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 Ohio
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
Our analysis ranked Cuyahoga Community College District the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,595. Set against $7,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,782 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $50,218 early in their careers. Set against $10,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,828. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $48,132 early in their careers. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,611. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,044. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $35,014. Set against $16,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $38,399. Set against $16,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Students from in state pay about $6,639 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $16,799 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $38,399. That is a strong return on a $16,799 median debt.
Edison State Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,406. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,522 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,522 median debt.
Owens Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,319. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Ohio Technical College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, compared with $8,016 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,779 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $40,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,779 median debt.
Washington State Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,305. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Zane State College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Zane State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Zanesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,556. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,556 median debt.
Auburn Career Center came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public university. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,807 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,032 ten years after entry. Set against $10,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Trumbull came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,843. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Kent State University At Trumbull earn a median of $33,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,465 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $37,325 early in their careers. Set against $24,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern State Community College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,912, compared with $10,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,282 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hocking College earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $10,290. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,505 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $37,118. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $21,720 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,966. That is a strong return on a $21,720 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Toledo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $37,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Greene County Vocational School District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Xenia, Greene County Vocational School District is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $8,919 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Greene County Vocational School District earn a median of $46,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,919 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:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
