2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast Region
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 576 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,710 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $55,704 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Seminole State College Of Florida one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $36,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $15,811 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $59,415. That is a strong return on a $15,811 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $41,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $41,251. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gateway College earned the #6 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,048. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Atlanta Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $45,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College landed the #10 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,616. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $28,734. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Chipola College earn a median of $38,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,086. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College placed #15 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $5,812. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College placed #16 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $49,893. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,423. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
North Florida Community College placed #18 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
York Technical College earned the #19 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,500. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $44,401. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $8,838 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $51,590 early in their careers. Set against $8,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #21 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,296 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $86,740. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,692. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,674. That is a strong return on a $15,692 median debt.
Cleveland Community College came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,131. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $44,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $39,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,415. 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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 576 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 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.
