2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Maryland

[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 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 Maryland
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 Frederick Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Maryland. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes The Community College Of Baltimore County one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,611. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $70,610. Set against $14,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,400. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $53,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coppin State University earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $7,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,419. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
College Of Southern Maryland placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,949. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,960. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,655. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $56,868. Set against $25,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frostburg State University placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $28,027 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
Salisbury University earned the #11 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $45,476. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $52,989. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Baltimore landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $50,216 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Maryland ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Suitland, Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $56,937. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Strayer University Maryland generally make around $43,405. That is a strong return on a $56,937 median debt.
Bowie State University earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $41,367 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,247. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $54,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hood College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $47,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,500. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stevenson University landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. 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 Stevenson University generally make around $45,730. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $54,021 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.