2027 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 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 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
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Ohio. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $91,944. That is a strong return on a $6,125 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,149. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,595. That is a strong return on a $7,149 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes North Central State College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,782. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,218. Set against $10,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,611. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Stark State College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $16,350 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,014. That is a strong return on a $16,350 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,888. That is a strong return on a $11,044 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Edison State Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. 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, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,074. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Washington State Community College placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Washington State Community College earn a median of $45,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,291 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,016. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,779. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $40,065 early in their careers. Set against $16,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $51,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
Zane State College earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,556. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. Set against $8,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #16 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,505. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,695. That is a strong return on a $23,505 median debt.
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,465. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,325. That is a strong return on a $24,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Kent State University At Trumbull earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Warren, Kent State University At Trumbull is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, compared with $8,049 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,522. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,734. Set against $15,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hocking College landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,799 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central State University placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central State University earn a median of $32,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Polaris Career Center placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Middleburg Heights, Polaris Career Center is a small public institution. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,365. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Polaris Career Center earn a median of $41,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest State Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,565 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,123. That is a strong return on a $11,565 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,720. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,229. That is a strong return on a $21,720 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 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), 2027 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
