2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Tennessee
[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.
College Factual analyzed 23 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 Tennessee
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
Dyersburg State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $10,611. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pellissippi State Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Pellissippi State Community College earn a median of $43,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Walters State Community College, which ranked #3. Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Morristown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $16,702 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Walters State Community College generally make around $44,624. Set against $16,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Cleveland State Community College, which ranked #4. Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,318. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,488. Set against $6,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,756, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $40,137. That is a strong return on a $12,462 median debt.
Austin Peay State University landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,281 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $36,749. Set against $25,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast State Community College came in at #7 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the rural area of Blountville, Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,782, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $6,404. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $39,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Le Moyne Owen College came in at #8 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,076. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,594. Le Moyne Owen College admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $22,671 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,167. That is a strong return on a $22,671 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. 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 $35,900. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Bethel University Tennessee ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,712. Students borrow a median of $24,811 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $54,563 early in their careers. Set against $24,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #12 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,093. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $38,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lane College placed #13 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Jackson, Lane College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,790. Students borrow a median of $38,680 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $35,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Strayer University Tennessee earned the #14 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $56,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Strayer University Tennessee generally make around $43,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $22,995. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $37,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Martin Methodist College earned the #16 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $23,308. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #17 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,942. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $30,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,942 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $28,001 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $32,555 early in their careers. Set against $28,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Cumberland University earned the #20 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $45,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
South College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. South College is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $18,535. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $24,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from South College generally make around $24,095. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryan College Dayton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,652 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Set against $25,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $20,693. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $64,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
