2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in North Carolina
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 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 North Carolina
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
Leading the list is Wilkes Community College, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $41,251 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $49,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. 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.
Edgecombe Community College came in at #6 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,153 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $49,528. Set against $22,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $14,833. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $39,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Wilson Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wilson Community College generally make around $48,304. Set against $17,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #10 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,278. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,736. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,924. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,235. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #15 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $44,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sandhills Community College landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,238. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,909. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,920.
Surry Community College placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $13,708. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $28,734. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College placed #25 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,625. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
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. 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
