2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New Jersey
[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 44 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 New Jersey
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 Essex County College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $31,908. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Camden County College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,322. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $43,451. Set against $13,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,119. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley 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 rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,250. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Warren County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Washington, Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,460, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Warren County Community College generally make around $22,140. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,671. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $20,232. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cumberland County College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Vineland. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,931. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,568. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $30,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $32,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Brookdale Community College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,721. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $30,595. That is a strong return on a $9,721 median debt.
Passaic County Community College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $23,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $23,024. That is a strong return on a $9,040 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $27,321. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Kean University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $39,408. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
New Jersey City University came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,584 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $39,745. That is a strong return on a $21,584 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Gloucester County College earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $11,931 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $33,568. Set against $11,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Peters College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $28,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $39,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. 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 $35,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
College Of Saint Elizabeth ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Morristown, College Of Saint Elizabeth is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,740. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,496. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of Saint Elizabeth earn a median of $76,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,496 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,431 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,182. That is a strong return on a $22,431 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,431 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $45,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
