2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New York
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in New York. 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, 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 $50,224 early in their careers. Set against $11,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,617. That is a strong return on a $7,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $25,302. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bronx Community College earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $28,940. Set against $6,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queensborough Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,884. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $26,907 early in their careers. Set against $8,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nassau Community College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,167 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $29,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ulster County Community College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,206 in student loans. 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.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $25,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,256. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $28,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,938 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $51,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,938 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. 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. Set against $10,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $56,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Niagara County Community College came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $27,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,168. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,411. Set against $19,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $36,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Farmingdale State College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Onondaga Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $27,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, compared with $6,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,483. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,721. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fulton Montgomery Community College placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,198, while out-of-state students pay about $6,798. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Fulton Montgomery Community College generally make around $31,935. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt.
Dutchess Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,515 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $26,891. That is a strong return on a $11,515 median debt.
Rockland Community College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,510. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $29,633. That is a strong return on a $10,510 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $36,754 early in their careers. 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
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
