2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Kentucky
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 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 Kentucky
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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Big Sandy Community And Technical College this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,994 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn a median of $29,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,994 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Somerset Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $14,387 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $34,245. Set against $14,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hopkinsville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,269 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,269 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #4 spot this year. West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Paducah. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,903. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Bluegrass Community And Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $44,752. That is a strong return on a $10,814 median debt.
Maysville Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,031 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $37,769. That is a strong return on a $13,031 median debt.
Madisonville Community College placed #7 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,985. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $41,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,245. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,486. Set against $12,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Florence. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,611 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Jefferson Community And Technical College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,512. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,516. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $33,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University earned the #12 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,875 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,041. That is a strong return on a $22,875 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,325. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $36,789. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,499. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Kentucky State University earned the #15 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $28,162 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $33,099 early in their careers. Set against $28,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $43,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Pikeville College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,850. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Pikeville College generally make around $27,025. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindsey Wilson College came in at #18 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,808. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $29,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Louisville landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,258. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $74,173. That is a strong return on a $18,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Alice Lloyd College placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the rural area of Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,960 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $40,573 ten years out. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,550 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $36,849. Set against $21,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Thomas More College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the suburb of Crestview Hills, Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,025 in tuition and fees. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $31,608 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas More College admits about 90% of applicants.
Bellarmine University earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,990 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bellarmine University earn a median of $30,930 early in their careers. Set against $25,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
Midway College came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Midway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,110. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,723 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Midway College generally make around $42,586. That is a strong return on a $26,723 median debt. Midway College admits about 95% of applicants.
Sullivan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $34,249. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Sullivan University earn a median of $54,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
