[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 383 schools to find the best return on investment for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
2027 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
Indian River State College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, 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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,710. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,763. That is a strong return on a $13,710 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. 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.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. 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 $41,251. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $15,692 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $47,723. That is a strong return on a $15,692 median debt.
University Of Florida Online landed the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,296 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
North Florida Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,847 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,366. That is a strong return on a $8,847 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $59,237. That is a strong return on a $15,811 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. Set against $12,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Trident Technical College earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #14 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,090. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $40,557. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,750. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College placed #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Johnston Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,490. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. Students from in state pay about $3,992 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,165 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,415. Set against $8,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,984. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,131. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #23 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,808 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $48,321. That is a strong return on a $11,808 median debt.
Miami Dade College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,568 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $34,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilson Community College came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,060. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $48,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,060 median debt.
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:
The ranking above is published 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 · 383 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 383 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).
[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.
