2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in North Carolina
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 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 North Carolina
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
Leading the list is Wilkes Community College, our #1 best value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in North Carolina. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,251. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Central Carolina Community College, which ranked #2. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, 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. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
Durham Technical 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 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,750. 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.
Cleveland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. 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.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Johnston Community College earned the #7 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #9 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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.
Wayne Community College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $5,500. 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.
Stanly Community College came in at #11 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,920.
Martin Community College came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $42,820.
South Piedmont Community College came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $17,823 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $47,748. Set against $17,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $46,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College landed the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. 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.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #19 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,947. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle placed #20 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #22 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $16,042 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $52,282. Set against $16,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Gaston College earned the #24 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $50,038. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mayland Community College landed the #25 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. Students from in state pay about $2,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,770. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Mayland Community College earn a median of $17,144 early in their careers.
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 list is compiled 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
