2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Bucks County Community College this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,169 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $28,719 early in their careers. Set against $10,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery County Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,112 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $58,964. Set against $16,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,163 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $57,464. Set against $14,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #4. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. 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 Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $33,360. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Butler County Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Butler. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, with out-of-state students paying around $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,449. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $31,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,224. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,315. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,499. Set against $11,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Community College Of Beaver County ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Monaca, Community College Of Beaver County is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500, with out-of-state students paying around $20,700. Students borrow a median of $16,802 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,354. Set against $16,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,828 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $38,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,828 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Westmoreland County Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $37,916. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Students borrow a median of $12,004 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,921. That is a strong return on a $12,004 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Family University earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,330 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 Holy Family University earn a median of $33,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $35,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,847. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,888 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,175. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $26,966. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $36,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Waynesburg University came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waynesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $37,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Hazleton, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton earn a median of $37,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Hazleton admits about 96% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College earned the #25 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $67,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 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), 2027 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
