2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 289 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,503 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $50,224 early in their careers. Set against $11,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $7,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $31,617 early in their careers. Set against $7,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $25,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $29,837. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,021 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $28,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,021 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,167 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $29,606. That is a strong return on a $6,167 median debt.
Essex County College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $31,908 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $8,119 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $32,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $43,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,884 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $26,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,884 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $25,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Students borrow a median of $13,206 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $51,069. Set against $13,206 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,938 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,676. Set against $12,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, while out-of-state students pay about $8,134. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,256 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $28,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,611. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $70,610. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $27,775. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Carroll Community College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $30,093. That is a strong return on a $10,700 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Monroe Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. 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 $56,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $28,719. That is a strong return on a $10,169 median debt.
Cumberland County College placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,931. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $33,568 early in their careers. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,910, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Butler County Community College generally make around $41,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 289 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 141 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.
