2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in South Carolina
[Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 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 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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat York Technical College this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Trident Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #2 spot this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Horry Georgetown Technical College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. 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. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $30,840. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #4 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $17,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $20,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,007. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $15,787. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,726. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,583. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $15,475 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $33,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,475 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College landed the #8 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northeastern Technical College generally make around $57,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Carolina Lancaster ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. University Of South Carolina Lancaster is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $7,558 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Lancaster admits about 83% of applicants.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $20,650. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $32,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,650 median debt.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #11 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $34,447. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University came in at #13 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $28,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,548. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Spartanburg Methodist College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Methodist College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,650. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $14,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Allen University landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,304. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $39,771 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $23,346. Set against $39,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Benedict College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Benedict College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,748. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $40,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Benedict College generally make around $23,838. Set against $40,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Newberry College came in at #17 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. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
South Carolina State University landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,750. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $31,000. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,576. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. South Carolina State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Bob Jones University came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,298. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $31,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morris College landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Sumter, Morris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,664. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,946 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #21 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,966. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $45,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Claflin University placed #22 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Claflin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,046. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $37,009. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,345. That is a strong return on a $37,009 median debt. Claflin University admits about 65% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University placed #23 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $33,633. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Charleston Southern University admits about 96% of applicants.
Limestone College landed the #24 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Gaffney, Limestone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,800. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Limestone College generally make around $39,181. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Limestone College admits about 97% of applicants.
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,054. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $26,826 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Columbia College South Carolina earn a median of $49,121 early in their careers. Set against $26,826 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value ranking:
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
