2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New Jersey
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New Jersey
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 Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in New Jersey. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,119 median debt.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Burlington County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Camden County College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,671 median debt.
Union County College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. 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.
Warren County Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Warren County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,875. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Warren County Community College generally make around $22,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $23,559. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $9,875 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $32,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $9,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Brookdale Community College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,721. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,568. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.
Ocean County College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,906 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $27,321. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Saint Peters College came in at #17 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,558. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Salem Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Salem Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Carneys Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,360, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,232 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $51,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,993 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,755. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,549. Set against $24,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Gloucester County College earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $11,931 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value 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. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
New Jersey City University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $21,584 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,900. That is a strong return on a $21,584 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $35,864 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #25 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, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $22,431 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $45,182. Set against $22,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
