2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 68 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Salt Lake Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,334. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $44,042. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,130 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $30,479 early in their careers. Set against $11,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Colorado Mountain College, which ranked #4. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $68,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,757. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $45,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,381 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $35,959 early in their careers.
Casper College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,598 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,910 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,039. Set against $13,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Rocks Community College landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,667. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $72,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,667 median debt.
Aims Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $56,378. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Weber State University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,828. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $43,281 early in their careers. Set against $19,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $50,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta Montrose Technical College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Delta, Delta Montrose Technical College is a small public institution. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $4,750. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Delta Montrose Technical College earn a median of $56,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,202. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,351 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $54,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,774. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $69,776. That is a strong return on a $24,774 median debt.
Pueblo Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,656 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $52,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,656 median debt.
Bridgerland Technical College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Bridgerland Technical College generally make around $28,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming landed the #21 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $19,393. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,797. Set against $19,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,502 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,381. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $39,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Otero Junior College placed #24 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,759 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Idaho College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting:
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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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
