2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Master’s Degree Schools
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2070 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the United States
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
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,503. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $63,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,503 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,296. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,644. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $37,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $47,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,753 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,274. That is a strong return on a $18,753 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $59,681. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,277. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,266. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $73,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville State University earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $25,060 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $36,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $21,098 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $57,618 early in their careers. Set against $21,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,375. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $52,216. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,983. That is a strong return on a $21,731 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $34,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,828 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,873 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $40,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,873 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Central University landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,553 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of East Central University earn a median of $41,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,553 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,325 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,875. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,551. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,889. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Students borrow a median of $20,975 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,544 early in their careers. Set against $20,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,671 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Illinois University placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $49,011. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
Other Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting rankings across degree levels:
View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 2070 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 155 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.
