2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in New York
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,503 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,258. Set against $11,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,625 in student loans. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queensborough Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $8,884 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,907. Set against $8,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $29,606. That is a strong return on a $6,167 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #6 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,021. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $28,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,750 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $25,515. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
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, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $29,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,256. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cuny Hostos Community College generally make around $28,343. Set against $6,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $56,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange County Community College placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $36,111 early in their careers. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $27,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Erie Community College earned the #14 position 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,938. 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 #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,700. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,093. That is a strong return on a $10,700 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College came in at #16 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,448 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $19,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $34,411. That is a strong return on a $19,168 median debt.
Genesee Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Genesee Community College earn a median of $38,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Corning Community College landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. In-state tuition and fees average $6,534, with out-of-state students paying around $10,326. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Corning Community College earn a median of $33,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Broome Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. 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.
Farmingdale State College came in at #20 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,500. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. 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 $27,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $36,754 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Dutchess Community College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,515. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $26,891. Set against $11,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
