2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Wisconsin
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, compared with $7,169 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,252 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $44,966. That is a strong return on a $10,252 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Gateway Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,084 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $56,350 early in their careers. 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 Waukesha County Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,813. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,353. That is a strong return on a $16,813 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which ranked #4. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,027. That is a strong return on a $18,082 median debt.
Nicolet Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Students borrow a median of $11,400 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $53,660. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,745 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $42,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,745 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,997. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,540. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $51,724 early in their careers. Set against $16,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $41,678. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,937. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $54,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,537 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,250. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $49,533 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,494 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $59,276. That is a strong return on a $15,494 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,968 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $47,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,043 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $41,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wisconsin Lutheran College generally make around $54,908. Set against $26,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,204 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Marian University Wisconsin earn a median of $72,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Carthage College came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,551. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Mequon, Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $41,527. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
