2026 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Tennessee
[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.
College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
For return on investment in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, no school beat Walters State Community College this year. 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. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $16,702. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Walters State Community College earn a median of $44,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,702 median debt.
Dyersburg State Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dyersburg. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $41,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southwest Tennessee Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $11,406. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. 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 Pellissippi State Community College, which ranked #4. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,786, 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. Set against $8,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland State Community College one of the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,746. Students borrow a median of $6,318 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cleveland State Community College earn a median of $41,488 early in their careers. Set against $6,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast State Community College landed the #6 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,766. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $39,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, 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 $37,977. That is a strong return on a $24,093 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $22,671 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $32,167 early in their careers. Set against $22,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Volunteer State Community College landed the #9 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,756, while out-of-state students pay about $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Volunteer State Community College generally make around $40,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee State University came in at #10 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $28,001 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $32,555. Set against $28,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Le Moyne Owen College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Le Moyne Owen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $12,076. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,594. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #12 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,995 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $37,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,995 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #13 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #14 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Austin Peay State University landed the #16 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,281 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University earned the #17 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,942 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $30,097. Set against $25,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lane College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Lane College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,790. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $38,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Lane College generally make around $35,917. Set against $38,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryan College Dayton placed #19 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,800. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $25,652. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $44,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. South College is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $18,535 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,533 median debt.
Cumberland University came in at #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $45,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #22 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,620. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $24,479. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Students borrow a median of $56,937 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Strayer University Tennessee generally make around $43,405. That is a strong return on a $56,937 median debt.
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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 $54,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,811 median debt. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
More Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings
View All Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Rankings >
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
