2027 Best Value Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting Schools in Virginia
[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 35 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 Virginia
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 Wytheville Community College the best value for a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting in Virginia. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $9,542. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $38,907. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting will find it at Dabney S Lancaster Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $7,467. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
John Tyler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting, landing the #5 spot this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $33,766 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Germanna Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #8 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $37,531. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #9 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,999 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $25,999 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $10,384 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College placed #11 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $9,494 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.
Radford University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Radford University earn a median of $35,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #13 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $21,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $51,432. That is a strong return on a $21,487 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #14 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #15 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Students borrow a median of $11,768 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. Set against $11,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting schools. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,795 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $26,965. Set against $14,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #17 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,988. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Norfolk State University landed the #18 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Longwood University came in at #19 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates make about $36,254. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University landed the #20 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $34,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #22 spot for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. 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 Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $39,404. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Regent University came in at #23 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $21,237. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $54,985. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Virginia came in at #24 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting graduates is $56,937. Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting graduates of Strayer University Virginia earn a median of $43,405 early in their careers. Set against $56,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Madison University came in at #25 for value in homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting program here. Soon after graduation, homeland security, law enforcement & firefighting degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
