2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Florida
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting students.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Florida
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
Our analysis ranked Indian River State College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Florida. 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 $51,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,838 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #2. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $13,710 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $55,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,692. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $47,723. Set against $15,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes North Florida Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. North Florida Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Madison. Students from in state pay about $2,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $46,266. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,296. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $86,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Chipola College came in at #6 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,847. 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 earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,811. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $59,237 early in their careers. Set against $15,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,296. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $86,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,296 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
South Florida State College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $42,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. 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. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $34,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,808. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,321. That is a strong return on a $11,808 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,250. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $45,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,500. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $14,908 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pasco Hernando Community College earn a median of $53,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,635. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $51,461. Set against $8,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,753 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,962. Set against $18,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Edison State College landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $48,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Daytona State College came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, with out-of-state students paying around $11,994. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,056. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $51,237. Set against $8,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Saint Johns River State College is a large public school located in the town of Palatka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $47,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University earned the #21 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,716. That is a strong return on a $18,623 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,942. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,589. That is a strong return on a $12,942 median debt.
Manatee Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Manatee Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,726. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Manatee Technical College earn a median of $58,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,273 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $68,003. That is a strong return on a $16,273 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $59,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
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), 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
