2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in South Carolina
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
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2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in South 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
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in South Carolina. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York Technical College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $8,500. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $44,401 early in their careers. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Midlands Technical College, which ranked #3. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $17,313. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $20,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Horry Georgetown Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $30,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Aiken Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Aiken Technical College earn a median of $51,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College placed #6 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,636, compared with $6,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,230. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster earned the #8 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,558, while out-of-state students pay about $18,238. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,592. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,592 median debt. University Of South Carolina Lancaster admits about 83% of applicants.
Northeastern Technical College came in at #9 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,933. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $57,772. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $20,650. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,721. Set against $20,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,475. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $33,307. Set against $15,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,174. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,000. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $34,447 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Spartanburg Methodist College placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $20,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Spartanburg Methodist College generally make around $14,509. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Voorhees College landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Denmark, Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,339 ten years after entry.
Tri County Technical College landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,726. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
Lander University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Claflin University earned the #18 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Claflin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,046. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $37,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Claflin University generally make around $33,345. Set against $37,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College South Carolina placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $20,054. Students borrow a median of $26,826 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $48,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University South Carolina ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Strayer University South Carolina is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $56,937. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $43,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Carolina State University placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. South Carolina State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,060, with out-of-state students paying around $21,750. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of South Carolina State University earn a median of $32,576 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Benedict College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,748. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $40,750. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $23,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #23 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,966 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $45,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
North Greenville University came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Tigerville, North Greenville University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,128. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of North Greenville University earn a median of $39,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,128 median debt. North Greenville University admits about 67% of applicants.
Newberry College came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $27,729. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $43,702. That is a strong return on a $27,729 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year:
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
