2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the New England Region
[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 110 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 the New England Region
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 Bunker Hill Community College, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in the New England Region. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $47,573 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex Community College Bedford one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,950. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $41,796. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,432 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,426. Set against $7,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $5,658 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $37,533. Set against $5,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,144. That is a strong return on a $6,333 median debt.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #6 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $30,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,700. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $36,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,705 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $40,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. 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 $43,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,875. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,927. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,768. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $40,039. Set against $16,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $37,044. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Rhode Island College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,163. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Capital Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,345. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,753. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,953. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,132. Set against $24,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roxbury Community College earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,665. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,124. That is a strong return on a $11,665 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,838, compared with $36,418 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire At Manchester generally make around $51,200. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire At Manchester admits about 81% of applicants.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,669 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $47,939. That is a strong return on a $14,669 median debt.
Charter Oak State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $68,956. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
Fitchburg State University placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,418. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southern Maine Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,750. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,434. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Quincy College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,600. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. 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
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value ranking:
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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 · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
